TNFAIP3 is required for FGFR1 activation-promoted proliferation and tumorigenesis of premalignant DCIS.COM human mammary epithelial cells

FAXDC2 inhibits the proliferation and invasion of human liver cancer HepG2 cells

The reprogramming of lipid metabolism serves an important role in occurrence and development of liver cancer. Fatty acid hydroxylase domain containing 2 (FAXDC2) is a hydroxylase involved in the synthesis of cholesterol and sphingomyelin and downregulated in various types of cancer. There are no reports on the relationship between FAXDC2 and liver carcinogenesis. The present study used multiple portals and publicly available tools to explore its correlation with liver cancer. The results showed that the expression of FAXDC2 decreased in liver cancer and the methylation level near the promoter increased. Patients with liver cancer and with low expression of FAXDC2 had a poor prognosis. Gain of function and loss of function strategies were performed to evaluate its roles in liver cancer cells. CCK-8 assay showed that overexpression of FAXDC2 inhibited the viability of liver cancer cells (HepG2). Flow cytometry analysis indicated that HepG2 cells with overexpressing FAXDC2 showed an S phase arrest, associated with cyclin-dependent kinase 2 decreased. Transwell experiments showed that increasing FAXDC2 inhibited HepG2 cell invasion ability, accompanied by the upregulation of E-cadherin. Notably, knockdown of FAXDC2 had no significant effect on cell cycle and invasion functions. Based on the cBioPortal platform, FAXDC2 was predicted to closely correlate to the ERK signal in tumorigenesis. Western blotting results showed that overexpression of FAXDC2 decreased the phosphorylation level of ERK in liver cancer cells. The present study first identified FAXDC2 as a liver cancer suppressor, which might inhibit the proliferation and invasion of liver cancer cells through the mechanism associated with ERK signaling. The present study provided a possible new target for the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer.

miR-6742-5p regulates the invasion and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells via mediating FGF8/ERK12/MMP9/MMP2 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the progression of Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), however, the functions of miR-6742-5p in LUAD remains unknown, thereby this study was carried on.

METHODS

The mRNA and miRNA expression data from the LUAD and normal control were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, TargetScan and mirDIP were applied to predict the relationship between miR-6742-5p and FGF8.Q-PCR, western blot, dual-luciferase, wound Healing and transwell assays were performed to test the functions of miR-6742-5p in LUAD.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase identified FGF8 is the target-gene of miR-6742-5p, which is declined in LUAD of human tissues and cell lines, and miR-6742-5P OE suppressed the progression of LUAD in nude mice. MiR-6742-5p OE and KD suppressed or increased the abilities of LUAD' metastasis tested by wound healing and transwell assays H522 and PC-9 cells, these effects about miR-6742-5p OE were reversed by FGF8; miR-6742-5p OE, KD inhibited and increased the expression of FGF8 as its downstream p-ERK1/2, MMP-2/-9, these results were corrected by ERK1/2 inhibitor: Ro 67-7476; the miR-6742-5p KD increased the migrated and invaded cells and suppressed by MMPs inhibitor: S3304. These results identified the negative correlation of miR-6742-5p with FGF8-ERK1/2 signal pathway in LUAD progression.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that miR-6742-5p might be a regulator of LUAD progression by targeting FGF8/ERK1/2/MMPs signaling pathway, which provides a novel therapeutic target for LUAD.

The FGFR1 Signaling Pathway Upregulates the Oncogenic Transcription Factor FOXQ1 to Promote Breast Cancer Cell Growth

FGFR1 is a receptor tyrosine kinase deregulated in certain breast cancers (BCs) with a poor prognosis. Although FGFR1-activated phosphorylation cascades have been mapped, the key genes regulated by FGFR1 in BC are largely unclear. FOXQ1 is an oncogenic transcription factor. Although we found that activation of FGFR1 robustly upregulated FOXQ1 mRNA, how FGFR1 regulates FOXQ1 gene expression and whether FOXQ1 is essential for FGFR1-stimulated cell proliferation are unknown. Herein, we confirmed that activation of FGFR1 robustly upregulated FOXQ1 mRNA and protein in BC cells. Knockdown of FOXQ1 blocked the FGFR1 signaling-stimulated BC cell proliferation, colony formation, and xenograft tumor growth. Inhibition of MEK or ERK1/2 activities, or knockout of ERK2 but not ERK1 suppressed the FGFR1 signaling-promoted FOXQ1 gene expression. Inhibition of ERK2 in ERK1 knockout cells blocked, while ectopic expression of FOXQ1 in ERK2 knockout cells rescued the FGFR1-signaling-promoted cell growth. Mechanistically, c-FOS, an early response transcription factor upregulated by the FGFR1-MEK-ERK2 pathway, bound to the FOXQ1 promoter to mediate the FGFR1 signaling-promoted FOXQ1 expression. These results indicate that the FGFR1-ERK2-c-FOS-FOXQ1 regulatory axis plays an essential role in the FGFR1 signaling-promoted BC growth. Targeting ERK2 and FOXQ1 should block BC growth caused by a deregulated FGFR1 signaling.

TNFAIP3 promotes ALDH-positive breast cancer stem cells through FGFR1/MEK/ERK pathway

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a tiny population of self-renewing cells that may contribute to cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy in patients. In our prior study, we found that tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3) is necessary for fibroblast growth factors receptor 1 (FGFR1) signaling-promoted tumor growth and progression in breast cancer (BC). This study aims to investigate the involvement of TNFAIP3 in regulating BCSCs. In this work, we showed that ALDH-positive BCSCs were increased by activating the FGFR1-MEK-ERK pathway, meanwhile utilizing FGFR1 inhibitor, MEK inhibitor, or ERK inhibitor reversed the phenomenon in BC cells. Moreover, ALDH-positive BCSCs were decreased in TNFAIP3-knockout or TNFAIP3-depressing cells. In vivo analysis displayed that TNFAIP3-silenced MDA-MB-231 xenografts developed smaller tumors and ALDH immunostaining levels were significantly lower in TNFAIP3-depressing or TNFAIP3-knockout tumor tissues. Besides, our results also revealed that TNFAIP3 influences the transcription stemness factors gene expression. Taken together, TNFAIP3 could be a potential regulator in FGFR1-MEK-ERK-promoted ALDH-positive BCSCs.

TNFAIP3 mediates FGFR1 activation-induced breast cancer angiogenesis by promoting VEGFA expression and secretion

PURPOSE

To investigate the role and mechanism of TNF-inducible protein 3(TNFAIP3) in breast cancer angiogenesis induced by fibroblast growth factor receptor1 (FGFR1) activation.

METHODS

The immunohistochemical assay was used to detect the expression of vascular endothelial cell marker CD31 and CD105 in mice DCIS.COM-iFGFR1 transplanted tumor (previously established by our group). The effects of TNFAIP3 knockout/knockdown breast cancer cell lines on angiogenesis, migration, and invasion of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) were detected by the tubulogenesis and Trewells assay. RNA-seq analysis of TNFAIP3 downstreams differential genes after TNFAIP3 knockdown. The expression and secretion of VEGFA after FGFR1 activation in breast cancer cells were detected by qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemistry showed that TNFAIP3 knockout inhibited the expression of CD31 and CD105 in DCIS grafted tumors promoted by FGFR1 activation. Tubulogenesis and Trewells experiments showed that TNFAIP3 gene knockout/knockdown inhibited the angiogenesis, migration, and invasion of HUVEC cells promoted by FGFR1 activation. qPCR assay showed that VEGFA mRNA level in the TNFAIP3 knockdown cell line was significantly down-regulated (p < 0.05). qPCR, Western blot and ELISA results showed that TNFAIP3 gene knockout/knockdown could inhibit the expression and secretion of VEGFA in breast cancer cells induced by FGFR1 activation.

CONCLUSION

TNFAIP3 promotes breast cancer angiogenesis induced by FGFR1 activation through the expression and secretion of VEGFA.

TNFAIP3 mutation may be associated with favorable overall survival for patients with T-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND

T-cell lymphoma (TCL) is highly aggressive and has a poor prognosis; thus, it is worth exploring biomarkers that may predict clinical outcomes and investigate their potential role in developing targeted therapies. In this study, we characterized the mutation pattern of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-inducing protein 3 (TNFAIP3) and its role in the prognosis of TCL patients.

METHODS

Coding sequence (CDS) mutations in TNFAIP3 in TCL patients was explored using exome-sequencing data from 79 patients in our center (Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, GDPH) and 544 samples from the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database. Additionally, non-CDS mutations in TNFAIP3 in 41 TCL patients from our center (JNU) were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. Furthermore, non-CDS mutations in TNFAIP3 in 47 TCL patients from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset were explored.

RESULTS

In the COSMIC database, TNFAIP3 mutations in TCL patients were located in the CDS, and the overall mutation frequency was 2.2%. However, TNFAIP3 mutations were not detected in the CDS of any of the samples in our center's datasets. Interestingly, non-CDS TNFAIP3 mutations were found in 14.6% and 4.3% of TCL patients in the JNU and GSE15842 dataset, respectively. Importantly, there was a clear trend showing that TCL patients with a TNFAIP3 mutation were associated with a longer 5-year restricted mean survival time (RMST) and favorable OS rate compared with those without a TNFAIP3 mutation in the JNU dataset [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07 to 1.31, P = 0.089]. Furthermore, TNFAIP3 mutations significantly correlated with T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL) with a favorable prognosis in the JNU dataset (P = 0.002). Notably, the different mutation patterns of TNFAIP3 when comparing our center and the COSMIC datasets might be due to different ethnic and genetic backgrounds.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, we for the first time describe that TNFAIP3 mutations in non-CDS regions are associated with favorable OS for TCL patients, which might be a potential biomarker for the prognostic stratification of Chinese TCL patients.

The dual roles of A20 in cancer

A20 is a prototypical anti-inflammatory molecule that is linked to multiple human diseases, including cancers. The role of A20 as a tumor suppressor was first discovered in B cell lymphomas. Subsequent studies revealed the dual roles of A20 in solid cancers. This review focuses on the roles of A20 in different cancer types to demonstrate that the effects of A20 are cancer type-dependent. A20 plays antitumor roles in colorectal carcinomas and hepatocellular carcinomas, whereas A20 acts as an oncogene in breast cancers, gastric cancers and melanomas. Moreover, the roles of A20 in the setting of glioma therapy are context-dependent. The action mechanisms of A20 in different types of cancer are summarized. Additionally, the role of A20 in antitumor immunity is discussed. Furthermore, some open questions in this rapidly advancing field are proposed. Exploration of the actions and molecular mechanisms of A20 in cancer paves the way for the application of A20-targeting approaches in future cancer therapy.

Circular RNA circFGFR1 promotes progression and anti-PD-1 resistance by sponging miR-381-3p in non-small cell lung cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Immune system evasion, distance tumor metastases, and increased cell proliferation are the main reasons for the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the death of NSCLC patients. Dysregulation of circular RNAs plays a critical role in the progression of NSCLC; therefore, further understanding the biological mechanisms of abnormally expressed circRNAs is critical to discovering novel, promising therapeutic targets for NSCLC treatment.

METHODS

The expression of circular RNA fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (circFGFR1) in NSCLC tissues, paired nontumor tissues, and cell lines was detected by RT-qPCR. The role of circFGFR1 in NSCLC progression was assessed both in vitro by CCK-8, clonal formation, wound healing, and Matrigel Transwell assays and in vivo by a subcutaneous tumor mouse assay. In vivo circRNA precipitation, RNA immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assays were performed to explore the interaction between circFGFR1 and miR-381-3p.

RESULTS

Here, we report that circFGFR1 is upregulated in NSCLC tissues, and circFGFR1 expression is associated with deleterious clinicopathological characteristics and poor prognoses for NSCLC patients. Forced circFGFR1 expression promoted the migration, invasion, proliferation, and immune evasion of NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, circFGFR1 could directly interact with miR-381-3p and subsequently act as a miRNA sponge to upregulate the expression of the miR-381-3p target gene C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), which promoted NSCLC progression and resistance to anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)- based therapy.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our results suggest the critical role of circFGFR1 in the proliferation, migration, invasion, and immune evasion abilities of NSCLC cells and provide a new perspective on circRNAs during NSCLC progression.

Reciprocal regulatory mechanism between miR-214-3p and FGFR1 in FGFR1-amplified lung cancer

MicroRNA (miRNA) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) dysregulation are considered to play an important role in tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. However, the regulatory mechanism between miRNAs and FGFR1 in lung cancer remains unclear and extremely critical. miR-214-3p was sharply decreased and showed a significantly negative correlation with FGFR1 in lung cancer patients (n = 30). Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-214-3p could downregulate FGFR1 by directly targeting 3′-untranslated region (UTR). miR-214-3p inhibited the processes of epithelial–mesenchymal transition and Wnt/MAPK/AKT (Wnt/mitogen-activated protein kinase/AKT) signaling pathway by targeting FGFR1. Moreover, miR-214-3p not only established a negative feedback regulation loop with FGFR1 through ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) but also developed a synergism with FGFR1 inhibitor AZD4547. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the regulatory mechanism between miR-214-3p and FGFR1 in lung cancer. miR-214-3p acts as a vital target in FGFR1-amplified lung cancer by forming a miR-214-3p-FGFR1-Wnt/MAPK/AKT signaling pathway network. Co-targeting miR-214-3p and FGFR1 could provide greater benefits to patients with FGFR1-amplified lung cancer.

GPER Mediates a Feedforward FGF2/FGFR1 Paracrine Activation Coupling CAFs to Cancer Cells toward Breast Tumor Progression

The FGF2/FGFR1 paracrine loop is involved in the cross-talk between breast cancer cells and components of the tumor stroma as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). By quantitative PCR (qPCR), western blot, immunofluorescence analysis, ELISA and ChIP assays, we demonstrated that 17β-estradiol (E2) and the G protein estrogen receptor (GPER) agonist G-1 induce the up-regulation and secretion of FGF2 via GPER together with the EGFR/ERK/c-fos/AP-1 signaling cascade in (ER)-negative primary CAFs. Evaluating the genetic alterations from METABRIC and TCGA datasets, we then assessed that FGFR1 is the most frequently amplified FGFRs family member and its amplification/expression associates with shorter survival rates in breast cancer patients. Therefore, in order to assess the functional FGF2/FGFR1 interplay between CAFs and breast cancer cells, we generated the FGFR1-knockout MDA-MB-231 cells using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing strategy. Using conditioned medium from estrogen-stimulated CAFs, we established that the activation of FGF2/FGFR1 paracrine signaling triggers the expression of the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), leading to the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Our findings shed new light on the role elicited by estrogens through GPER in the activation of the FGF2/FGFR1 signaling. Moreover, our findings may identify further biological targets that could be considered in innovative combination strategies halting breast cancer progression.

Knockdown of KDM2A inhibits proliferation associated with TGF-β expression in HEK293T cell

Lysine-specific demethylase 2A (KDM2A, also known as JHDM1A or FBXL11) plays an important role in regulating cell proliferation. However, the mechanisms on KDM2A controlling cell proliferation are varied among cell types, even controversial conclusions have been drawn. In order to elucidate the functions and underlying mechanisms for KDM2A controlling cell proliferation and apoptosis, we screened a KDM2A knockout HEK293T cell lines by CRISPR-Cas9 to illustrate the effects of KDM2A on both biological process. The results indicate that knocking down expression of KDM2A can significantly weaken HEK293T cell proliferation. The cell cycle analysis via flow cytometry demonstrate that knockdown expression of KDM2A will lead more cells arrested at G2/M phase. Through the RNA-seq analysis of the differential expressed genes between KDM2A knockdown HEK293T cells and wild type, we screened out that TGF-β pathway was significantly downregulated in KDM2A knockdown cells, which indicates that TGF-β signaling pathway might be the downstream target of KDM2A to regulate cell proliferation. When the KDM2A knockdown HEK293T cells were transient-transfected with KDM2A overexpression plasmid or treated by TGF-β agonist hydrochloride, the cell proliferation levels can be partial or completely rescued. However, the TGF-β inhibitor LY2109761 can significantly inhibit the KDM2A WT cells proliferation, but not the KDM2A knockdown HEK293T cells. Taken together, these findings suggested that KDM2A might be a key regulator of cell proliferation and cell cycle via impacting TGF-β signaling pathway.