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Ren JS, Bai W, Ding JJ, Ge HM, Wang SY, Chen X, Jiang Q. Hypoxia-induced AFAP1L1 regulates pathological neovascularization via the YAP-DLL4-NOTCH axis. J Transl Med 2023; 21:651. [PMID: 37737201 PMCID: PMC10515434 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04503-x] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathological neovascularization plays a pivotal role in the onset and progression of tumors and neovascular eye diseases. Despite notable advancements in the development of anti-angiogenic medications that target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFRs), the occurrence of adverse reactions and drug resistance has somewhat impeded the widespread application of these drugs. Therefore, additional investigations are warranted to explore alternative therapeutic targets. In recent years, owing to the swift advancement of high-throughput sequencing technology, pan-cancer analysis and single-cell sequencing analysis have emerged as pivotal methodologies and focal areas within the domain of omics research, which is of great significance for us to find potential targets related to the regulation of pathological neovascularization. METHODS Pan-cancer analysis and scRNA-seq data analysis were employed to forecast the association between Actin filament-associated protein 1 like 1 (AFAP1L1) and the development of tumors and endothelial cells. Tumor xenograft model and ocular pathological neovascularization model were constructed as well as Isolectin B4 (IsoB4) staining and immunofluorescence staining were used to assess the effects of AFAP1L1 on the progression of neoplasms and neovascular eye diseases in vivo. Transwell assay, wound scratch assay, tube forming assay, three-dimensional germination assay, and rhodamine-phalloidin staining were used to evaluate the impact of AFAP1L1 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) function in vitro; Dual luciferase reporting, qRT-PCR and western blot were used to investigate the upstream and downstream mechanisms of pathological neovascularization mediated by AFAP1L1. RESULTS Our investigation revealed that AFAP1L1 plays a crucial role in promoting the development of various tumors and demonstrates a strong correlation with endothelial cells. Targeted suppression of AFAP1L1 specifically in endothelial cells in vivo proves effective in inhibiting tumor formation and ocular pathological neovascularization. Mechanistically, AFAP1L1 functions as a hypoxia-related regulatory protein that can be activated by HIF-1α. In vitro experiments demonstrated that reducing AFAP1L1 levels can reverse hypoxia-induced excessive angiogenic capacity in HUVECs. The principal mechanism of angiogenesis inhibition entails the regulation of tip cell behavior through the YAP-DLL4-NOTCH axis. CONCLUSION In conclusion, AFAP1L1, a newly identified hypoxia-related regulatory protein, can be activated by HIF-1α. Inhibiting AFAP1L1 results in the inhibition of angiogenesis by suppressing the germination of endothelial tip cells through the YAP-DLL4-NOTCH axis. This presents a promising therapeutic target to halt the progression of tumors and neovascular eye disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Song Ren
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, #138 Han-ZhongRoad, Nanjing, 210000, China
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Wen Bai
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, #138 Han-ZhongRoad, Nanjing, 210000, China
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Jing-Juan Ding
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, 221000, China
| | - Hui-Min Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, #138 Han-ZhongRoad, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Su-Yu Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, #138 Han-ZhongRoad, Nanjing, 210000, China
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, #138 Han-ZhongRoad, Nanjing, 210000, China
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, 225000, China
| | - Qin Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, #138 Han-ZhongRoad, Nanjing, 210000, China.
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210000, China.
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Sun B, Ding B, Chen Y, Peng C, Chen X. AFAP1L1 promotes gastric cancer progression by interacting with VAV2 to facilitate CDC42-mediated activation of ITGA5 signaling pathway. J Transl Med 2023; 21:18. [PMID: 36631800 PMCID: PMC9835296 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-03871-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The actin filament-associated protein (AFAP) family genes include AFAP1/AFAP-110, AFAP1L1 and AFAP1L2/XB130. Increasing evidence indicates these three AFAP family members participate in tumor progression, but their clinical significance and molecular mechanisms in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. METHODS We first analyzed expression of AFAP family genes using public datasets and verified the results. The clinical significance of AFAP family genes in GC patients was also analyzed. In vitro and in vivo experiments were applied to explore the function of AFAP1L1. Enrichment analysis was used to explore potential molecular mechanisms. We then performed additional experiments, such as cell adhesion assay, co-immunoprecipitation and so on to confirm the downstream molecular mechanisms of AFAP1L1. RESULTS Public data analyses and our verification both showed AFAP1L1 was the only AFAP family members that was significantly upregulated in GC compared with normal gastric tissues. Besides, only AFAP1L1 could predict poor prognosis and act as an independent risk factor for GC patients. In addition, AFAP1L1 promotes GC cells proliferation, migration, invasion in vitro and tumor growth, metastasis in vivo by inducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In terms of mechanism, AFAP1L1 interacts with VAV guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2 (VAV2) to activate Rho family GTPases CDC42, which finally promotes expression of integrin subunit alpha 5 (ITGA5) and activation of integrin signaling pathway. CONCLUSION AFAP1L1 promotes GC progression by inducing EMT through VAV2-mediated activation of CDC42 and ITGA5 signaling pathway, indicating AFAP1L1 may be a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Sun
- grid.477407.70000 0004 1806 9292Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, No. 61 Jiefang West Road, Changsha, 410005 Hunan China
| | - Bai Ding
- grid.477407.70000 0004 1806 9292Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, No. 61 Jiefang West Road, Changsha, 410005 Hunan China
| | - Yu Chen
- grid.477407.70000 0004 1806 9292Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, No. 61 Jiefang West Road, Changsha, 410005 Hunan China
| | - Chuang Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, No. 61 Jiefang West Road, Changsha, 410005, Hunan, China.
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, No. 61 Jiefang West Road, Changsha, 410005, Hunan, China.
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Potential Prognostic Biomarkers of Lung Adenocarcinoma Based on Bioinformatic Analysis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:8859996. [PMID: 33511215 PMCID: PMC7822677 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8859996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), which accounts for 60% of non-small-cell lung cancers, is poorly diagnosed and has a low average 5-year survival rate (approximately 20%). It remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Studies on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in LUAD-related competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks are limited. We aimed to identify novel prognostic biomarkers for LUAD using bioinformatic tools and data analysis. We systemically integrated differentially expressed genes and clinically significant modules using weighted correlation network analysis. We performed a functional analysis of the collected candidate genes and explored three LUAD-related genes (VWF, PECAM1, and COL1A1) associated with the overall survival rates of patients with LUAD. Based on Cox proportional hazards analysis of candidate mRNAs and lncRNAs together with differentially expressed microRNAs, we constructed ceRNA networks, obtained 12 lncRNAs in the ceRNA networks, and revealed seven novel lncRNAs AC021016.2, AC079630.1, AC116407.1, AC125807.2, AF131215.5, LINC01936, and RHOXF1-AS1. These lncRNAs were found to be associated with overall survival rates and are suitable for the prediction of prognosis by Kaplan-Meier survival and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. In particular, three lncRNAs—AF131215.5, AC125807.2, and LINC01936—showed an independent prognostic value of overall survival for patients with LUAD. We evaluated the diagnostic capabilities of seven lncRNAs for patients with LUAD using principal component analysis and the Gene Set Variation Analysis index. lncRNAs and crucial genes could be effectively used for distinguishing LUAD tumors from normal tissues in the Gene Expression Omnibus profile. In particular, AC021016.2 showed a significant prognostic value in the validation dataset. Our findings reveal the significance of exploring lncRNAs in cancer-related ceRNAs using bioinformatic strategies.
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Lai WF, Wong WT. Roles of the actin cytoskeleton in aging and age-associated diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2020; 58:101021. [PMID: 31968269 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2020.101021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The integrity of the cytoskeleton is essential to diverse cellular processes such as phagocytosis and intracellular trafficking. Disruption of the organization and dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton leads to age-associated symptoms and diseases, ranging from cancer to neurodegeneration. In addition, changes in the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton disrupt the functioning of not only somatic and stem cells but also gametes, resulting in aberrant embryonic development. Strategies to preserve the integrity and dynamics of the cytoskeleton are, therefore, potentially therapeutic to age-related disorders. The objective of this article is to revisit the current understanding of the roles played by the actin cytoskeleton in aging, and to review the opportunities and challenges for the transition of basic research into intervention development. It is hoped that, with the snapshot of evidence regarding changes in actin dynamics with advanced age, insights into future research directions can be attained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing-Fu Lai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University, PR China; School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, PR China; Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, PR China.
| | - Wing-Tak Wong
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, PR China
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