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Wu J, Gong L, Li Y, Qu J, Yang Y, Wu R, Fan G, Ding M, Xie K, Li F, Li X. Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang improves thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis by reversing ACSL4-mediated lipid accumulation and promoting mitophagy. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 333:118456. [PMID: 38878839 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Liver fibrosis is a generic fibrous scarring event resulting from accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, easily progressing to end-stage liver diseases. Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang (THSWT) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula applied in clinics to treat gynecological and chronic liver diseases. However, the role of THSWT on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis and the specific mechanisms remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the improving effects of THSWT on TAA-insulted hepatic fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS UHPLC-MS/MS was performed to explore the chemical characterization of THSWT. Mice were orally administered with THSWT once daily for 6 weeks along with TAA challenge. Liver function was reflected through serum biomarkers and histopathological staining. RNA sequencing, non-targeted metabolomics and molecular biology experiments were applied to investigate the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS THSWT profoundly repaired lipid metabolism dysfunction and blocked collagen accumulation both in TAA-stimulated mice and in hepatocytes. Results of RNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics revealed that the anti-fibrotic effects of THSWT mostly relied on lipid metabolism repairment by increasing levels of acetyl-CoA, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine, and decreasing relative abundances of acyl-CoA, total cholesterol, diacylglycerol, triacylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. Mechanically, long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases 4 (ACSL4) was a key profibrotic target both in human and mice by disrupting lipid oxidation and metabolism in hepatic mitochondria. THSWT effectively blocked ACSL4 and promoted mitophagy to reverse above outcomes, which was verified by mitophagy depletion. CONCLUSION THSWT may be a promising therapeutic option for treating hepatic fibrosis and its complications by modulating lipid metabolism and promoting mitophagy in livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhi Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Liping Gong
- The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Shan Dong University, 247 Bei Yuan Da Jie, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Yufei Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jiaorong Qu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Ruiyu Wu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Guifang Fan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Mingning Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Kaihong Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Fanghong Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
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Toshida K, Itoh S, Iseda N, Tomiyama T, Yoshiya S, Toshima T, Liu YC, Iwasaki T, Okuzaki D, Taniguchi K, Oda Y, Mori M, Yoshizumi T. Impact of ACSL4 on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: Association with cancer-associated fibroblasts and the tumour immune microenvironment. Liver Int 2024; 44:1011-1023. [PMID: 38293713 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Recently, the association between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and ferroptosis has been the focus of much attention. The expression of long chain fatty acyl-CoA ligase 4 (ACSL4), a marker of ferroptosis, in tumour tissue is related to better prognosis in various cancers. In HCC, ACSL4 expression indicates poor prognosis and is related to high malignancy. However, the mechanism remains to be fully understood. METHODS We retrospectively enrolled 358 patients with HCC who had undergone hepatic resection. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for ACSL4 was performed. Factors associated with ASCL4 expression were investigated by spatial transcriptome analysis, and the relationships were investigated by IHC. The association between ACSL4 and the tumour immune microenvironment was examined in a public dataset and investigated by IHC. RESULTS Patients were divided into ACSL4-positive (n = 72, 20.1%) and ACSL4-negative (n = 286, 79.9%) groups. ACSL4 positivity was significantly correlated with higher α-fetoprotein (p = .0180) and more histological liver fibrosis (p = .0014). In multivariate analysis, ACSL4 positivity was an independent prognostic factor (p < .0001). Spatial transcriptome analysis showed a positive correlation between ACSL4 and cancer-associated fibroblasts; this relationship was confirmed by IHC. Evaluation of a public dataset showed the correlation between ACSL4 and exhausted tumour immune microenvironment; this relationship was also confirmed by IHC. CONCLUSION ACSL4 is a prognostic factor in HCC patients and its expression was associated with cancer-associated fibroblasts and anti-tumour immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuya Toshida
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shinji Itoh
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Norifumi Iseda
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Tomiyama
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shohei Yoshiya
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takeo Toshima
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yu-Chen Liu
- Single Cell Genomics, Human Immunology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Iwasaki
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Okuzaki
- Single Cell Genomics, Human Immunology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Genome Information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koji Taniguchi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoshinao Oda
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masaki Mori
- School of Medicine, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Yoshizumi
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Wang Q, Liu J, Chen Z, Zheng J, Wang Y, Dong J. Targeting metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma to overcome therapeutic resistance: A comprehensive review. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:116021. [PMID: 38128187 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116021] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a heavy burden on human health with high morbidity and mortality rates. Systematic therapy is crucial for advanced and mid-term HCC, but faces a significant challenge from therapeutic resistance, weakening drug effectiveness. Metabolic reprogramming has gained attention as a key contributor to therapeutic resistance. Cells change their metabolism to meet energy demands, adapt to growth needs, or resist environmental pressures. Understanding key enzyme expression patterns and metabolic pathway interactions is vital to comprehend HCC occurrence, development, and treatment resistance. Exploring metabolic enzyme reprogramming and pathways is essential to identify breakthrough points for HCC treatment. Targeting metabolic enzymes with inhibitors is key to addressing these points. Inhibitors, combined with systemic therapeutic drugs, can alleviate resistance, prolong overall survival for advanced HCC, and offer mid-term HCC patients a chance for radical resection. Advances in metabolic research methods, from genomics to metabolomics and cells to organoids, help build the HCC metabolic reprogramming network. Recent progress in biomaterials and nanotechnology impacts drug targeting and effectiveness, providing new solutions for systemic therapeutic drug resistance. This review focuses on metabolic enzyme changes, pathway interactions, enzyme inhibitors, research methods, and drug delivery targeting metabolic reprogramming, offering valuable references for metabolic approaches to HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Juan Liu
- Research Unit of Precision Hepatobiliary Surgery Paradigm, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Institute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligence Hepatology (Ministry of Education/Beijing), School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Ziye Chen
- Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Jingjing Zheng
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Yunfang Wang
- Research Unit of Precision Hepatobiliary Surgery Paradigm, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Institute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligence Hepatology (Ministry of Education/Beijing), School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jiahong Dong
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China; Research Unit of Precision Hepatobiliary Surgery Paradigm, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Institute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligence Hepatology (Ministry of Education/Beijing), School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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Ding K, Liu C, Li L, Yang M, Jiang N, Luo S, Sun L. Acyl-CoA synthase ACSL4: an essential target in ferroptosis and fatty acid metabolism. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:2521-2537. [PMID: 37442770 PMCID: PMC10617883 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Long-chain acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthase 4 (ACSL4) is an enzyme that esterifies CoA into specific polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid and adrenic acid. Based on accumulated evidence, the ACSL4-catalyzed biosynthesis of arachidonoyl-CoA contributes to the execution of ferroptosis by triggering phospholipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis is a type of programmed cell death caused by iron-dependent peroxidation of lipids; ACSL4 and glutathione peroxidase 4 positively and negatively regulate ferroptosis, respectively. In addition, ACSL4 is an essential regulator of fatty acid (FA) metabolism. ACSL4 remodels the phospholipid composition of cell membranes, regulates steroidogenesis, and balances eicosanoid biosynthesis. In addition, ACSL4-mediated metabolic reprogramming and antitumor immunity have attracted much attention in cancer biology. Because it facilitates the cross-talk between ferroptosis and FA metabolism, ACSL4 is also a research hotspot in metabolic diseases and ischemia/reperfusion injuries. In this review, we focus on the structure, biological function, and unique role of ASCL4 in various human diseases. Finally, we propose that ACSL4 might be a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyue Ding
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Chongbin Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Na Jiang
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Shilu Luo
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Lin Sun
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
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Ríos Medrano MA, Bigi MM, Martínez Ponce P, Podesta EJ, Orlando UD. Exposure to anticancer drugs modulates the expression of ACSL4 and ABCG2 proteins in adrenocortical carcinoma cells. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20769. [PMID: 37867801 PMCID: PMC10585233 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and malignant disease, with more than 50 % of patients developing hormone-secreting tumors. These tumors are genetically heterogeneous and potentially lethal, as metastasis is often underway at the time of diagnosis. While chemoresistance can be multifactorial, Acyl CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4) is known to contribute to the generation of highly aggressive cellular phenotypes, while increased expression and activity of multidrug transporters such as ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) are known to play a key role. Therefore, the objective of this work was to determine changes in the expression of ACSL4 and ABCG2 in ACC cell lines after exposure to antitumor drugs. Bioinformatics analysis of public database GSE140818 revealed higher ACSL4 and ABCG2 expression in HAC15 cells resistant to mitotane when compared to wild type cells. In addition, our studies revealed an increase in ACSL4 and ABCG2 expression in lowly aggressive H295R cells undergoing early treatment with non-lethal concentrations of mitotane, doxorubicin and cisplatin. Comparable results were obtained in lowly aggressive breast cancer cells MCF-7. The increase in ACSL4 and ABCG2 expression favored tumor cell viability, proliferation and compound efflux, an effect partially offset by ACSL4 and ABCG2 inhibitors. These results provide relevant data on the undesired molecular effects of antitumor drugs and may fuel future studies on patients' early response to antitumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra Agustina Ríos Medrano
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED). Buenos Aires. Argentina
| | - María Mercedes Bigi
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED). Buenos Aires. Argentina
| | - Paloma Martínez Ponce
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED). Buenos Aires. Argentina
| | - Ernesto Jorge Podesta
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED). Buenos Aires. Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Bioquímica Humana. Buenos Aires. Argentina
| | - Ulises Daniel Orlando
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED). Buenos Aires. Argentina
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Kouroumalis E, Tsomidis I, Voumvouraki A. Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Interplay of Apoptosis and Autophagy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041166. [PMID: 37189787 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multifactorial process that has not yet been fully investigated. Autophagy and apoptosis are two important cellular pathways that are critical for cell survival or death. The balance between apoptosis and autophagy regulates liver cell turnover and maintains intracellular homeostasis. However, the balance is often dysregulated in many cancers, including HCC. Autophagy and apoptosis pathways may be either independent or parallel or one may influence the other. Autophagy may either inhibit or promote apoptosis, thus regulating the fate of the liver cancer cells. In this review, a concise overview of the pathogenesis of HCC is presented, with emphasis on new developments, including the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress, the implication of microRNAs and the role of gut microbiota. The characteristics of HCC associated with a specific liver disease are also described and a brief description of autophagy and apoptosis is provided. The role of autophagy and apoptosis in the initiation, progress and metastatic potential is reviewed and the experimental evidence indicating an interplay between the two is extensively analyzed. The role of ferroptosis, a recently described specific pathway of regulated cell death, is presented. Finally, the potential therapeutic implications of autophagy and apoptosis in drug resistance are examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Kouroumalis
- Department of Gastroenterology, PAGNI University Hospital, University of Crete School of Medicine, 71500 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Crete Medical School, 71500 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tsomidis
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Crete Medical School, 71500 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, 54621 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
| | - Argyro Voumvouraki
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, 54621 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
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Kouroumalis E, Tsomidis I, Voumvouraki A. Iron as a therapeutic target in chronic liver disease. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:616-655. [PMID: 36742167 PMCID: PMC9896614 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i4.616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
It was clearly realized more than 50 years ago that iron deposition in the liver may be a critical factor in the development and progression of liver disease. The recent clarification of ferroptosis as a specific form of regulated hepatocyte death different from apoptosis and the description of ferritinophagy as a specific variation of autophagy prompted detailed investigations on the association of iron and the liver. In this review, we will present a brief discussion of iron absorption and handling by the liver with emphasis on the role of liver macrophages and the significance of the iron regulators hepcidin, transferrin, and ferritin in iron homeostasis. The regulation of ferroptosis by endogenous and exogenous mod-ulators will be examined. Furthermore, the involvement of iron and ferroptosis in various liver diseases including alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease, chronic hepatitis B and C, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) will be analyzed. Finally, experimental and clinical results following interventions to reduce iron deposition and the promising manipulation of ferroptosis will be presented. Most liver diseases will be benefited by ferroptosis inhibition using exogenous inhibitors with the notable exception of HCC, where induction of ferroptosis is the desired effect. Current evidence mostly stems from in vitro and in vivo experimental studies and the need for well-designed future clinical trials is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Kouroumalis
- Liver Research Laboratory, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tsomidis
- First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki 54621, Greece
| | - Argyro Voumvouraki
- First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki 54621, Greece
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Hou J, Jiang C, Wen X, Li C, Xiong S, Yue T, Long P, Shi J, Zhang Z. ACSL4 as a Potential Target and Biomarker for Anticancer: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Therapeutics. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:949863. [PMID: 35910359 PMCID: PMC9326356 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.949863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major public health problem around the world and the key leading cause of death in the world. It is well-known that glucolipid metabolism, immunoreaction, and growth/death pattern of cancer cells are markedly different from normal cells. Recently, acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4) is found be participated in the activation of long chain fatty acids metabolism, immune signaling transduction, and ferroptosis, which can be a promising potential target and biomarker for anticancer. Specifically, ACSL4 inhibits the progress of lung cancer, estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer, cervical cancer and the up-regulation of ACSL4 can improve the sensitivity of cancer cells to ferroptosis by enhancing the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products and lethal reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, it is undeniable that the high expression of ACSL4 in ER negative breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer can also be related with tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In the present review, we provide an update on understanding the controversial roles of ACSL4 in different cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Hou
- Department of Cardiology, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital/Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiao Tong University, Chengdu, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Changqing Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | - Xudong Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chengdu First People’s Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengming Li
- Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shiqiang Xiong
- Department of Cardiology, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital/Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiao Tong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tian Yue
- Department of Cardiology, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital/Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiao Tong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Pan Long
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Pan Long, ; Jianyou Shi, ; Zhen Zhang,
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Pan Long, ; Jianyou Shi, ; Zhen Zhang,
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital/Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiao Tong University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Pan Long, ; Jianyou Shi, ; Zhen Zhang,
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Role of ACSL4 in the chemical-induced cell death in human proximal tubule epithelial HK-2 cells. Biosci Rep 2022; 42:230722. [PMID: 35103282 PMCID: PMC8829018 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20212433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) activates polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to produce PUFA-derived acyl-CoAs, which are utilised for the synthesis of various biological components, including phospholipids (PLs). Although the roles of ACSL4 in non-apoptotic programmed cell death ferroptosis are well-characterised, its role in the other types of cell death is not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ACSL4 knockdown on the levels of acyl-CoA, PL, and ferroptosis in the human normal kidney proximal tubule epithelial (HK-2) cells. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses revealed that the knockdown of ACSL4 markedly reduced the levels of PUFA-derived acyl-CoA, but not those of other acyl-CoAs. In contrast with acyl-CoA levels, the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-containing PL levels were preferentially decreased in the ACSL4-knockdown cells compared with the control cells. Cell death induced by the ferroptosis inducers RSL3 and FIN56 was significantly suppressed by treatment with ferrostatin-1 or ACSL4 knockdown, and, unexpectedly, upon treating with a necroptosis inhibitor. In contrast, ACSL4 knockdown failed to suppress the other oxidative stress-induced cell deaths initiated by cadmium chloride and sodium arsenite. In conclusion, ACSL4 is involved in the biosynthesis of DHA-containing PLs in HK-2 cells and is specifically involved in the cell death induced by ferroptosis inducers.
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Wu J, Wang Y, Jiang R, Xue R, Yin X, Wu M, Meng Q. Ferroptosis in liver disease: new insights into disease mechanisms. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:276. [PMID: 34611144 PMCID: PMC8492622 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00660-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Characterized by excessive iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation, ferroptosis is a novel form of iron-dependent cell death, which is morphologically, genetically, and biochemically distinct from other well-known cell death. In recent years, ferroptosis has been quickly gaining attention in the field of liver diseases, as the liver is predisposed to oxidative injury and generally, excessive iron accumulation is a primary characteristic of most major liver diseases. In the current review, we first delineate three cellular defense mechanisms against ferroptosis (GPx4 in the mitochondria and cytosol, FSP1 on plasma membrane, and DHODH in mitochondria), along with four canonical modulators of ferroptosis (system Xc−, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, p53, and GTP cyclohydrolase-1). Next, we review recent progress of ferroptosis studies delineating molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of several common liver diseases including ischemia/reperfusion-related injury (IRI), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), hemochromatosis (HH), drug-induced liver injury (DILI), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Furthermore, we also highlight both challenges and promises that emerged from recent studies that should be addressed and pursued in future investigations before ferroptosis regulation could be adopted as an effective therapeutic target in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China.
| | - Rongtao Jiang
- Brainnetome Center and National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Ran Xue
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100036, China
| | - Xuehong Yin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Muchen Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Qinghua Meng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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11
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Dattilo MA, Benzo Y, Herrera LM, Prada JG, Lopez PF, Caruso CM, Lasaga M, García CI, Paz C, Maloberti PM. Regulation and role of Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 in glial cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 208:105792. [PMID: 33246155 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (Acsl4), an enzyme involved in arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, participates in physiological and pathological processes such as steroidogenesis and cancer. The role of Acsl4 in neurons and in nervous system development has also been documented but little is known regarding its functionality in glial cells. In turn, several processes in glial cells, including neurosteroidogenesis, stellation and AA uptake, are regulated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signal. In this context, the aim of this work was to analyze the expression and functional role of Acsl4 in primary rat astrocyte cultures and in the C6 glioma cell line by chemical inhibition and stable silencing, respectively. Results show that Acsl4 expression was regulated by cAMP in both models and that cAMP stimulation of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein mRNA levels was reduced by Acsl4 inhibition or silencing. Also, Acsl4 inhibition reduced progesterone synthesis stimulated by cAMP and also affected cAMP-induced astrocyte stellation, decreasing process elongation and increasing branching complexity. Similar effects were observed for Acsl4 silencing on cAMP-induced C6 cell morphological shift. Moreover, Acsl4 inhibition and silencing reduced proliferation and migration of both cell types. Acsl4 silencing in C6 cells reduced the capacity for colony proliferation and neurosphere formation, the latter ability also being abolished by Acsl4 inhibition. In sum, this work presents novel evidence of Acsl4 involvement in neurosteroidogenesis and the morphological changes of glial cells promoted by cAMP. Furthermore, Acsl4 participates in migration and proliferation, also affecting cell self-renewal. Altogether, these findings provide insights into Acsl4 functions in glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina A Dattilo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Yanina Benzo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucia M Herrera
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jesica G Prada
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula F Lopez
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla M Caruso
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Lasaga
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Corina I García
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Fundación Instituto Leloir and Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristina Paz
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula M Maloberti
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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12
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Immunohistochemical staining reveals differential expression of ACSL3 and ACSL4 in hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic gastrointestinal metastases. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:222647. [PMID: 32286604 PMCID: PMC7198044 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20200219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-chain fatty acyl CoA synthetases (ACSLs) activate fatty acids by CoA addition thus facilitating their intracellular metabolism. Dysregulated ACSL expression features in several cancers and can affect processes such as ferroptosis, fatty acid β-oxidation, prostaglandin biosynthesis, steroidogenesis and phospholipid acyl chain remodelling. Here we investigate long chain acyl-CoA synthetase 3 (ACSL3) and long chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4) expression in liver malignancies. The expression and subcellular localisations of the ACSL3 and ACSL4 isoforms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and hepatic metastases were assessed by immunohistochemical analyses of multiple tumour tissue arrays and by subcellular fractionation of cultured HepG2 cells. The expression of both enzymes was increased in HCC compared with normal liver. Expression of ACSL3 was similar in HCC and hepatic metastases but lower in healthy tissue. Increased ACSL3 expression distinguished HCC from CCA with a sensitivity of 87.2% and a specificity of 75%. ACSL4 expression was significantly greater in HCC than in all other tumours and distinguished HCC from normal liver tissue with a sensitivity of 93.8% and specificity of 93.6%. Combined ACSL3 and ACSL4 staining scores distinguished HCC from hepatic metastases with 80.1% sensitivity and 77.1% specificity. These enzymes had partially overlapping intracellular distributions, ACSL4 localised to the plasma membrane and both isoforms associated with lipid droplets and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In conclusion, analysis of ACSL3 and ACSL4 expression can distinguish different classes of hepatic tumours.
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13
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Hu XM, Li ZX, Lin RH, Shan JQ, Yu QW, Wang RX, Liao LS, Yan WT, Wang Z, Shang L, Huang Y, Zhang Q, Xiong K. Guidelines for Regulated Cell Death Assays: A Systematic Summary, A Categorical Comparison, A Prospective. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:634690. [PMID: 33748119 PMCID: PMC7970050 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.634690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few years, the field of regulated cell death continues to expand and novel mechanisms that orchestrate multiple regulated cell death pathways are being unveiled. Meanwhile, researchers are focused on targeting these regulated pathways which are closely associated with various diseases for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. However, the complexity of the mechanisms and the difficulties of distinguishing among various regulated types of cell death make it harder to carry out the work and delay its progression. Here, we provide a systematic guideline for the fundamental detection and distinction of the major regulated cell death pathways following morphological, biochemical, and functional perspectives. Moreover, a comprehensive evaluation of different assay methods is critically reviewed, helping researchers to make a reliable selection from among the cell death assays. Also, we highlight the recent events that have demonstrated some novel regulated cell death processes, including newly reported biomarkers (e.g., non-coding RNA, exosomes, and proteins) and detection techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Min Hu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhi-Xin Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Rui-Han Lin
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jia-Qi Shan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qing-Wei Yu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Rui-Xuan Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lv-Shuang Liao
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei-Tao Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Lei Shang
- Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yanxia Huang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Kun Xiong
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, China
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Chen X, Yan L, Jiang F, Lu Y, Zeng N, Yang S, Ma X. Identification of a Ferroptosis-Related Signature Associated with Prognosis and Immune Infiltration in Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Int J Endocrinol 2021; 2021:4654302. [PMID: 34335745 PMCID: PMC8318759 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4654302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant tumor with poor prognosis. Ferroptosis, a new form of cell death, differs from other forms of cell death and plays a vital role in tumor progress. Our study aimed to establish a ferroptosis-related signature with prognostic value in ACC. RNA-seq data and corresponding clinical characteristics for ACC were downloaded from TCGA and GEO databases. Genes included in ferroptosis risk signature were assessed by univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis as well as lasso regression analysis. The prognostic value of the ferroptosis risk signature was assessed using K-M and ROC curves. Furthermore, we performed GSEA to discover the enriched gene sets in high-risk group. Additionally, TIMER website was applied to detect a possible connection between the signature and immune cells infiltration. ssGSEA was performed to evaluate scores of immune cells and immune-related pathways in two groups. A ferroptosis signature comprised of six genes (SLC7A11, TP53, HELLS, ACSL4, PCBP2, and HMGB1) was constructed to predict prognosis and reflect the immune infiltration in ACC. Patients in high-risk group were inclined to have worse prognosis. The ferroptosis model performed well in predicting prognosis and could be served as an independent indicator in ACC. GSEA revealed that gene sets correlated with biological processes including cell cycle, DNA replication, base excision repair, and P53 signaling pathway were highly enriched in high-risk group. In addition, we discovered that the expressional levels of hub genes were linked to six immune cells' infiltration in ACC tumor. ssGSEA revealed that contents of most immune cells significantly decreased in the high-risk group. In conclusion, the novel ferroptosis risk signature could be useful in predicting prognosis and reflecting immune infiltration in ACC. It also brings us new insights into the possible value of targeting ferroptosis during the therapy of ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Taizhou Clinical Medical School of Nanjing Medical University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou 225300, China
| | - Lijun Yan
- Department of Hepatology, Nantong Third People's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Nantong 226000, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Department of Neonatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yu Lu
- Department of Endocrinology, Taizhou Clinical Medical School of Nanjing Medical University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou 225300, China
| | - Ni Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Shufang Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Taizhou Clinical Medical School of Nanjing Medical University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou 225300, China
| | - Xianghua Ma
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Department of Nutriology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
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15
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Du X, Zhang Y. Integrated Analysis of Immunity- and Ferroptosis-Related Biomarker Signatures to Improve the Prognosis Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Genet 2020; 11:614888. [PMID: 33391356 PMCID: PMC7775557 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.614888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with high mortality and poor prognoses around the world. Ferroptosis is a new form of cell death, and some studies have found that it is related to cancer immunotherapy. The aim of our research was to find immunity- and ferroptosis-related biomarkers to improve the treatment and prognosis of HCC by bioinformatics analysis. Methods First, we obtained the original RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) expression data and corresponding clinical data of HCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TGCA) database and performed differential analysis. Second, we used immunity- and ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to perform a computational difference algorithm and Cox regression analysis. Third, we explored the potential molecular mechanisms and properties of immunity- and ferroptosis-related DEGs by computational biology and performed a new prognostic index based on immunity- and ferroptosis-related DEGs by multivariable Cox analysis. Finally, we used HCC data from International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) data to perform validation. Results We obtained 31 immunity (p < 0.001)- and 14 ferroptosis (p < 0.05)-related DEGs correlated with overall survival (OS) in the univariate Cox regression analysis. Then, we screened five immunity- and two ferroptosis-related DEGs (HSPA4, ISG20L2, NRAS, IL17D, NDRG1, ACSL4, and G6PD) to establish a predictive model by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan–Meier (K–M) analyses demonstrated a good performance of the seven-biomarker signature. Functional enrichment analysis including Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) revealed that the seven-biomarker signature was mainly associated with HCC-related biological processes such as nuclear division and the cell cycle, and the immune status was different between the two risk groups. Conclusion Our results suggest that this specific seven-biomarker signature may be clinically useful in the prediction of HCC prognoses beyond conventional clinicopathological factors. Moreover, it also brings us new insights into the molecular mechanisms of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanlong Du
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yewei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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16
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Cruz-Gil S, Fernández LP, Sánchez-Martínez R, Gómez de Cedrón M, Ramírez de Molina A. Non-Coding and Regulatory RNAs as Epigenetic Remodelers of Fatty Acid Homeostasis in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2890. [PMID: 33050166 PMCID: PMC7599548 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells commonly display metabolic fluctuations. Together with the Warburg effect and the increased glutaminolysis, alterations in lipid metabolism homeostasis have been recognized as a hallmark of cancer. Highly proliferative cancer cells upregulate de novo synthesis of fatty acids (FAs) which are required to support tumor progression by exerting multiple roles including structural cell membrane composition, regulators of the intracellular redox homeostasis, ATP synthesis, intracellular cell signaling molecules, and extracellular mediators of the tumor microenvironment. Epigenetic modifications have been shown to play a crucial role in human development, but also in the initiation and progression of complex diseases. The study of epigenetic processes could help to design new integral strategies for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders including cancer. Herein, we first describe the main altered intracellular fatty acid processes to support cancer initiation and progression. Next, we focus on the most important regulatory and non-coding RNAs (small noncoding RNA-sncRNAs-long non-coding RNAs-lncRNAs-and other regulatory RNAs) which may target the altered fatty acids pathway in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marta Gómez de Cedrón
- Correspondence: (M.G.d.C.); (A.R.d.M.); Tel.: +34-67-213-49-21 (A.R.d.M.); Fax: +34-91-830-59-61 (A.R.d.M.)
| | - Ana Ramírez de Molina
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IMDEA-Food Institute, CEI UAM + CSIC, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (S.C.-G.); (L.P.F.); (R.S.-M.)
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17
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Qin X, Zhang J, Lin Y, Sun XM, Zhang JN, Cheng ZQ. Identification of MiR-211-5p as a tumor suppressor by targeting ACSL4 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Transl Med 2020; 18:326. [PMID: 32859232 PMCID: PMC7456023 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02494-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver cancer is among the most common malignancy worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the principal histological subtype of liver cancer, is globally the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality. The high rates of recurrence and metastasis contribute to the poor prognosis of HCC patients. In recent years, increasing evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the tumorigenesis, progression, and prognosis of HCC. METHODS To screen for key candidate miRNAs in HCC, three microarray datasets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The sole common differentially expressed miRNA (DEmiR) observed in the above three datasets using a Venn diagram was microRNA-211-5p (miR-211-5p). The expression of miR-211-5p from HCC tissues was measured in several HCC cell lines. Additionally, using Kaplan-Meier plots, the potential prognostic value of miR-211-5p in HCC was analyzed. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assays examined the ability of miR-211-5p to induce cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in HCC cultures. The interaction of miR-211-5p and Acyl-CoA Synthetase Long Chain Family Member 4 (ACSL4) was assessed both theoretically and using a luciferase reporter assay. Finally, the ability of miR-211-5p to modulate tumorigenesis in HCC in vivo was assessed after establishing a xenograft model. RESULTS qRT-PCR demonstrated that the relative expression of miR-211-5p was considerably down-regulated in HCC tissues and cell lines compared with normal tissue. Kaplan-Meier plots indicated that HCC patients with decreased expression of miR-211-5p had poor overall survival. Upregulation of miR-211-5p in vitro consistently suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In contrast, enhanced expression of ACSL4 promoted a malignant phenotype in HCC cells. Importantly, we discovered that ACSL4 was a direct downstream target of miR-211-5p in HCC, and that miR-211-5p suppressed the malignant phenotype by inhibition of ACSL4 expression. Furthermore, miR-211-5p overexpression impaired tumorigenesis and growth of HCC in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Targeting miR-211-5p and the downstream gene ACSL4 will possibly provide novel insight and represents a promising approach to future therapy of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Qin
- The Graduate School of Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China.,School of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Jinan, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Yu Lin
- The Graduate School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xue-Ming Sun
- Department of Neonatology, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, No. 4138, Linglongshan Road, Qingzhou, China
| | - Jia-Ning Zhang
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No. 107, western culture road, Jinan, China.
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18
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Saponin Formosanin C-induced Ferritinophagy and Ferroptosis in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9080682. [PMID: 32751249 PMCID: PMC7463707 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9080682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis, a recently discovered form of iron-dependent cell death, requires an increased level of lipid-reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ferritinophagy, a ferritin degradation pathway, depends on a selective autophagic cargo receptor (NCOA4). By screening various types of natural compounds, formosanin C (FC) was identified as a novel ferroptosis inducer, characterized by attenuations of FC-induced viability inhibition and lipid ROS formation in the presence of ferroptosis inhibitor. FC also induced autophagic flux, evidenced by preventing autophagic marker LC3-II degradation and increasing yellow LC3 puncta in tandem fluorescent-tagged LC3 (mRFP-GFP) reporter plasmid (ptfLC3) transfected cells when combined with autophagic flux inhibitor. It is noteworthy that FC-induced ferroptosis and autophagic flux were stronger in HepG2 cells expressing higher NCOA4 and lower ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) levels, agreeing with the results of gene expression analysis using CTRP and PRISM, indicating that FTH1 expression level exhibited a significant negative correlation with the sensitivity of the cells to a ferroptosis inducer. Confocal and electron microscopy confirmed the pronounced involvement of ferritinophagy in FC-induced ferroptosis in the cells with elevated NCOA4. Since ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of cell death, our data suggest FC has chemotherapeutic potential against apoptosis-resistant HCC with a higher NCOA4 expression via ferritinophagy.
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Wang J, Wang Z, Yuan J, Wang J, Shen X. The positive feedback between ACSL4 expression and O-GlcNAcylation contributes to the growth and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:7786-7800. [PMID: 32357142 PMCID: PMC7244051 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Acyl-CoA ligase 4 (ACSL4) has been reported to be overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to enhance cell proliferation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of ACSL4 in HCC progression remain largely unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate whether and how O-GlcNAcylation and ACSL4 regulate each other and HCC progression. The clinical significance of ACSL4, O-GlcNAc and GLUT1 in HCC was determined by Pearson chi-squared test and Kaplan-Meier analysis. CCK-8, flow cytometry and in vivo tumour formation assays were performed to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis and tumorigenesis. IP technology was used to evaluate the relationship between ACSL4 and O-GlcNAc. ACSL4, GLUT1 and O-GlcNAc levels were elevated in HCC tissues and predicted poor prognosis in HCC patients. ACSL4 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation and tumorigenesis and inhibited cell apoptosis, whereas these effects were all obviously impaired when mTOR signalling was repressed or GLUT1 was downregulated. ACSL4 could be O-GlcNAcylated, and silencing of ACSL4 abolished the effects of O-GlcNAcylation on cell growth promotion and apoptosis inhibition. Collectively, this study demonstrates that ACSL4 contributes to the growth and survival of HCC by enhancing GLUT1-mediated O-GlcNAcylation. In turn, O-GlcNAcylation promotes HCC growth partially by increasing ACSL4 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Wang
- Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Zhao Wang
- Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Jiaxiang Yuan
- Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Jiaxiang Wang
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Xinsheng Shen
- Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
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Zhang Z, Li J, He T, Ouyang Y, Huang Y, Liu Q, Wang P, Ding J. The competitive endogenous RNA regulatory network reveals potential prognostic biomarkers for overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2019; 110:2905-2923. [PMID: 31335995 PMCID: PMC6726690 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study is to construct a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network by using differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and mRNAs in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to construct a prognostic model for predicting overall survival (OS) of HCC patients. Differentially expressed lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs were explored between HCC tissues and normal liver tissues. A prognostic model was built for predicting OS of HCC patients and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the performance of the prognostic model. There were 455 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 181 differentially expressed miRNAs, and 5035 differentially expressed mRNAs. A ceRNA regulatory network was constructed based on 43 lncRNAs, 37 miRNAs, and 105 mRNAs. Eight mRNA biomarkers (H2AFX, SQSTM1, ITM2A, PFKP, TPD52L1, ACSL4, STRN3, and CPEB3) were identified as independent risk factors by multivariate Cox regression and were used to develop a prognostic model for OS. The C-indexes in the model group were 0.776 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.730-0.822), 0.745 (95% CI, 0.699-0.791), and 0.789 (95% CI, 0.743-0.835) for 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS, respectively. The current study revealed potential molecular biological regulation pathways and prognostic biomarkers by the ceRNA regulatory network. A prognostic model based on prognostic mRNAs in the ceRNA network might be helpful to predict the individual mortality risk for HCC patients. The individual mortality risk calculator can be used by visiting the following URL: https://zhangzhiqiao.shinyapps.io/Smart_cancer_predictive_system_HCC/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiao Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shunde, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shunde, China
| | - Tingshan He
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shunde, China
| | - Yanling Ouyang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shunde, China
| | - Yiyan Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shunde, China
| | - Qingbo Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shunde, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shunde, China
| | - Jianqiang Ding
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shunde, China
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Dattilo MA, Benzo Y, Herrera LM, Prada JG, Castillo AF, Orlando UD, Podesta EJ, Maloberti PM. Regulatory mechanisms leading to differential Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 expression in breast cancer cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10324. [PMID: 31311992 PMCID: PMC6635356 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46776-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4) overexpression plays a causal role in the aggressiveness of triple negative breast cancer. In turn, a negative correlation has been established between ACSL4 and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) expression. However, the upstream regulatory mechanisms leading to differential ACSL4 expression between triple negative breast cancer and ERα-positive cells remained unknown. We performed the characterization of the human ACSL4 promoter and the identification of transcription factors involved. Deletional analysis demonstrated the proximal 43 base pairs of the promoter are involved in overexpression. By site directed mutagenesis we describe that retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα), Sp1 and E2F elements are involved in the promoter activity. We established for the first time that estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα) is a transcription factor involved in the higher activation of the human ACSL4 promoter in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, a combination of inhibitors of ACSL4 and ERRα produced a synergistic decrease in MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation. We also demonstrated that ERα restoration in triple negative breast cancer cells downregulates ACSL4 expression. The results presented in this manuscript demonstrated transcriptional mechanism is involved in the different expression of ACSL4 in human breast cancer cell lines of different aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina A Dattilo
- Biomedical Research Institute, INBIOMED, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Yanina Benzo
- Biomedical Research Institute, INBIOMED, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucía M Herrera
- Biomedical Research Institute, INBIOMED, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jesica G Prada
- Biomedical Research Institute, INBIOMED, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana F Castillo
- Biomedical Research Institute, INBIOMED, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ulises D Orlando
- Biomedical Research Institute, INBIOMED, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ernesto J Podesta
- Biomedical Research Institute, INBIOMED, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula M Maloberti
- Biomedical Research Institute, INBIOMED, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Bioinformatics analysis to identify the key genes affecting the progression and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20181845. [PMID: 30705088 PMCID: PMC6386764 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20181845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary liver cancer, which has poor outcome. The present study aimed to investigate the key genes implicated in the progression and prognosis of HCC. The RNA-sequencing data of HCC was extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Using the R package (DESeq), the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed. Based on the Cluepedia plug-in in Cytoscape software, enrichment analysis for the protein-coding genes amongst the DEGs was conducted. Subsequently, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was built by Cytoscape software. Using survival package, the genes that could distinguish the survival differences of the HCC samples were explored. Moreover, quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) experiments were used to detect the expression of key genes. There were 2193 DEGs in HCC samples. For the protein-coding genes amongst the DEGs, multiple functional terms and pathways were enriched. In the PPI network, cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), Fos proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit (FOS), serum amyloid A1 (SAA1), and lysophosphatidic acid receptor 3 (LPAR3) were hub nodes. CDK1 interacting with PLK1 and FOS, and LPAR3 interacting with FOS and SAA1 were found in the PPI network. Amongst the 40 network modules, 4 modules were with scores not less than 10. Survival analysis showed that anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) and RLN3 could differentiate the high- and low-risk groups, which were confirmed by qRT-PCR. CDK1, PLK1, FOS, SAA1, and LPAR3 might be key genes affecting the progression of HCC. Besides, AGR2 and RLN3 might be implicated in the prognosis of HCC.
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Zhou H, Wang SC, Ma JM, Yu LQ, Jing JS. Sperm-Associated Antigen 5 Expression Is Increased in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Indicates Poor Prognosis. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:6021-6028. [PMID: 30157168 PMCID: PMC6126414 DOI: 10.12659/msm.911434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sperm-associated antigen 5 (SPAG5), a gene that encodes a mitotic spindle-associated protein, is closely related to tumor development and is involved in cell migration and proliferation. The objective of this research was to explore the clinical significance of SPAG5 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the relationship between SPAG5 expression and HCC prognosis. Material/Methods Twenty pairs of fresh-frozen HCC samples and samples from 95 HCC patients in a tissue microarray were subjected to quantitative real-time reverse-transcription (qRT)-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively, to investigate the relationship between the expression of SPAG5 and the clinicopathological features of HCC patients. Results PCR data showed that the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level of SPAG5 in HCC tissue specimens was higher than that in adjacent non-tumor tissue specimens (p<0.05). IHC analyses demonstrated that SPAG5 expression was significantly correlated with tumor grade (p=0.003), tumor number (p=0.009), vascular invasion (p=0.001), and TNM stage (p=0.001). Survival analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves showed that SPAG5 expression is an independent prognostic indicator for disease-free survival (p=0.017) and overall survival (p=0.016) in HCC patients. Conclusions Our results indicate that SPAG5 expression may be considered as an oncogenic biomarker and a novel predictor for HCC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Jurong People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
| | - Shun-Cai Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Jurong People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
| | - Jiu-Ming Ma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Jurong People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
| | - La-Qing Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Jurong People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
| | - Ji-Sheng Jing
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Jurong People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
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Li MF, Zeng JJ, Pan AP, Lin YH, Lin HS, Zhang RZ, Yang L, Zhang Y, Dang YW, Chen G. Investigation of miR-490-3p Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) and a Meta-Analysis of 749 Cases. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:4914-4925. [PMID: 30007991 PMCID: PMC6067044 DOI: 10.12659/msm.908492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background miR-490-3p could play vital roles in multiple cancers. However, the role of miR-490-3p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uncertain. In this study, we sought to explore the underlying role of miR-490-3p in HCC. Material/Methods In this study, we explored the clinical role of miR-490-3p in HCC via quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Then, a meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the expression trend and diagnostic value of miR-490-3p in HCC. Furthermore, 12 miRNA prediction algorithms were applied to predict the potential target genes of miR-490-3p. The differentially expressed genes in HCC in the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database were also selected. Additionally, bioinformatics analyses were utilized to investigate the possible functions and pathways of the target genes. Results miR-490-3p was clearly down-regulated in HCC based on RT-qPCR (P=0.002). Consistent with the results of RT-qPCR, miR-490 was more highly expressed in normal liver tissue than in HCC (P<0.001). Additionally, the meta-analysis confirmed the results from RT-qPCR and TCGA. Furthermore, based on the prediction algorithms and GEPIA, a total of 113 genes were selected. According to the bioinformatics analyses, we found that the most remarkably enriched functional terms included protein transport, poly(A) RNA binding, and intracellular organelle part. Additionally, the miR-490-3p target genes were significantly related to the pathways in cancer. Conclusions We found that miR-490-3p is down-regulated in HCC and is related to genes that have potential tumoral functions. However, the exact mechanism should be confirmed by functional experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Fen Li
- Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Chinese Medicine in Guangxi, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Jing-Jing Zeng
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Ai-Ping Pan
- Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Chinese Medicine in Guangxi, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Ying-Hui Lin
- Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Chinese Medicine in Guangxi, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Hong-Sheng Lin
- Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Chinese Medicine in Guangxi, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Rong-Zhen Zhang
- Department of Hepatology, First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Chinese Medicine in Guangxi, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Lei Yang
- Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Chinese Medicine in Guangxi, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Yi-Wu Dang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
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Wang X, Zhang Q, Wang Y, Zhuang H, Chen B. Clinical Significance of Ubiquitin Specific Protease 7 (USP7) in Predicting Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and its Functional Mechanisms. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:1742-1750. [PMID: 29574466 PMCID: PMC5882160 DOI: 10.12659/msm.909368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for one of the most prevalent cancer types in the world. The ubiquitin specific protease 7 (USP7), a kind of deubiquitylating enzyme, has been reported to play multifaceted roles in different tumor types. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and function of USP7 in HCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS Immunohistochemical staining and quantitative PCR were performed to explore the expression of USP7 in both HCC tissues and adjacent normal liver tissues. Chi-square test, univariate analysis, and multivariate analysis were conducted to statistically evaluate the clinical significance of USP7 in HCC. Proliferation, migration, and invasion capacities of HCC cells were assessed after overexpressing or silencing USP7. RESULTS Both the RNA and protein levels of USP7 were upregulated in HCC tissues compared to normal liver tissues. High expression of USP7 was correlated with advanced tumor stage and poor overall survival. Moreover, USP7 was identified as a novel independent prognostic factor for HCC patients. Cellular studies showed that USP7 could enhance the proliferation, migration, and invasion capacities of HCC cells, thereby promoting tumor progression. CONCLUSIONS High expression of USP7 is frequent in HCC tissues, which promotes tumor proliferation and invasion, and is correlated with a poor overall survival. Targeting USP7 may be a novel direction for the drug development of HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xujing Wang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University in Shanghai, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Qiqi Zhang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University in Shanghai, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Yongkun Wang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University in Shanghai, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Huiren Zhuang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University in Shanghai, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University in Shanghai, Shanghai, China (mainland)
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