1
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Chan YT, Zhang C, Wu J, Lu P, Xu L, Yuan H, Feng Y, Chen ZS, Wang N. Biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic options in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:189. [PMID: 39242496 PMCID: PMC11378508 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02101-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a global health challenge, causing a significant social-economic burden. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant type of primary liver cancer, which is highly heterogeneous in terms of molecular and cellular signatures. Early-stage or small tumors are typically treated with surgery or ablation. Currently, chemotherapies and immunotherapies are the best treatments for unresectable tumors or advanced HCC. However, drug response and acquired resistance are not predictable with the existing systematic guidelines regarding mutation patterns and molecular biomarkers, resulting in sub-optimal treatment outcomes for many patients with atypical molecular profiles. With advanced technological platforms, valuable information such as tumor genetic alterations, epigenetic data, and tumor microenvironments can be obtained from liquid biopsy. The inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity of HCC are illustrated, and these collective data provide solid evidence in the decision-making process of treatment regimens. This article reviews the current understanding of HCC detection methods and aims to update the development of HCC surveillance using liquid biopsy. Recent critical findings on the molecular basis, epigenetic profiles, circulating tumor cells, circulating DNAs, and omics studies are elaborated for HCC diagnosis. Besides, biomarkers related to the choice of therapeutic options are discussed. Some notable recent clinical trials working on targeted therapies are also highlighted. Insights are provided to translate the knowledge into potential biomarkers for detection and diagnosis, prognosis, treatment response, and drug resistance indicators in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yau-Tuen Chan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Cheng Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Junyu Wu
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Pengde Lu
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Lin Xu
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Hongchao Yuan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
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2
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Tocci NX, Wehrle CJ, Sun K, Jiao C, Hong H, Gross A, Allkushi E, Uysal M, Linganna MW, Stackhouse K, Hashimoto K, Schlegel A, Walsh RM, Miller C, Kwon DCH, Aucejo F. Circulating tumor DNA in management of primary liver malignancy: A review of the literature and future directions. J Surg Oncol 2024. [PMID: 39155663 DOI: 10.1002/jso.27825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Primary liver malignancies are a serious and challenging global health concern. The most common primary tumors are hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. These diseases portend poor prognosis when presenting with progressive, extensive disease. There is a critical need for improved diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and monitoring surveillance in liver-related malignancies. Liquid biopsy using ctDNA provides an opportunity for growth within these domains for liver-related malignancy. However, ctDNA is relatively understudied in this field compared with other solid tumor types, possibly due to the complex nature of the pathology. In this review, we aim to discuss ctDNA, the current literature, and future directions of this technology within primary liver malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah X Tocci
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Chase J Wehrle
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Keyue Sun
- Lerner Research Institute, Inflammation & Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Chunbao Jiao
- Lerner Research Institute, Inflammation & Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Hanna Hong
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Abby Gross
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Erlind Allkushi
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Melis Uysal
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Maureen Whitsett Linganna
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Katheryn Stackhouse
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Koji Hashimoto
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Andrea Schlegel
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Lerner Research Institute, Inflammation & Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - R Matthew Walsh
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Charles Miller
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - David C H Kwon
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Federico Aucejo
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary & Liver Transplant Surgery, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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3
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Guanzon D, Ross JP, Ma C, Berry O, Liew YJ. Comparing methylation levels assayed in GC-rich regions with current and emerging methods. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:741. [PMID: 39080541 PMCID: PMC11289974 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10605-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene expression, and for mammals typically occurs on cytosines within CpG dinucleotides. A significant challenge for methylation detection methods is accurately measuring methylation levels within GC-rich regions such as gene promoters, as inaccuracies compromise downstream biological interpretation of the data. To address this challenge, we compared methylation levels assayed using four different Methods Enzymatic Methyl-seq (EM-seq), whole genome bisulphite sequencing (WGBS), Infinium arrays (Illumina MethylationEPIC, "EPIC"), and Oxford Nanopore Technologies nanopore sequencing (ONT) applied to human DNA. Overall, all methods produced comparable and consistent methylation readouts across the human genome. The flexibility offered by current gold standard WGBS in interrogating genome-wide cytosines is surpassed technically by both EM-seq and ONT, as their coverages and methylation readouts are less prone to GC bias. These advantages are tempered by increased laboratory time (EM-seq) and higher complexity (ONT). We further assess the strengths and weaknesses of each method, and provide recommendations in choosing the most appropriate methylation method for specific scientific questions or translational needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Guanzon
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Translational Extracellular Vesicles in Obstetrics and Gynae-Oncology Group, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason P Ross
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Chenkai Ma
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Oliver Berry
- Environomics Future Science Platform, CSIRO, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Yi Jin Liew
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
- Environomics Future Science Platform, CSIRO, Crawley, WA, Australia.
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4
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Fabrizio FP, Castellana S, Centra F, Sparaneo A, Mastroianno M, Mazza T, Coco M, Trombetta D, Cingolani N, Centonza A, Graziano P, Maiello E, Fazio VM, Muscarella LA. Design and experimental validation of OPERA_MET-A panel for deep methylation analysis by next generation sequencing. Front Oncol 2022; 12:968804. [PMID: 36033501 PMCID: PMC9404304 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.968804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is the most recognized epigenetic mark that leads to a massive distortion in cancer cells. It has been observed that a large number of DNA aberrant methylation events occur simultaneously in a group of genes, thus providing a growth advantage to the cell in promoting cell differentiation and neoplastic transformation. Due to this reason, methylation profiles have been suggested as promising cancer biomarkers. Here, we designed and performed a first step of validation of a novel targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) panel for methylation analysis, which can simultaneously evaluate the methylation levels at CpG sites of multiple cancer-related genes. The OPERA_MET-A methylation panel was designed using the Ion AmpliSeq™ technology to amplify 155 regions with 125-175 bp mean length and covers a total of 1107 CpGs of 18 cancer-related genes. The performance of the panel was assessed by running commercially available fully methylated and unmethylated control human genomic DNA (gDNA) samples and a variable mixture of them. The libraries were run on Ion Torrent platform and the sequencing output was analyzed using the “methylation_analysis” plugin. DNA methylation calls on both Watson (W) and Crick (C) strands and methylated:unmethylated ratio for each CpG site were obtained. Cell lines, fresh frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) lung cancer tissues were tested. The OPERA_MET-A panel allows to run a minimum of 6 samples/530 chip to reach an observed mean target depth ≥2,500X (W and C strands) and an average number of mapped reads >750,000/sample. The conversion efficiency, determined by spiking-in unmethylated Lambda DNA into each sample before the bisulfite conversion process, was >97% for all samples. The observed percentage of global methylation for all CpGs was >95% and <5% for fully methylated and unmethylated gDNA samples, respectively, and the observed results for the variable mixtures were in agreement with what was expected. Methylation-specific NGS analysis represents a feasible method for a fast and multiplexed screening of cancer patients by a high-throughput approach. Moreover, it offers the opportunity to construct a more robust algorithm for disease prediction in cancer patients having a low quantity of biological material available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Pio Fabrizio
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Federico Pio Fabrizio, ; Lucia Anna Muscarella,
| | - Stefano Castellana
- Unit of Bioinformatics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Flavia Centra
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Angelo Sparaneo
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Mario Mastroianno
- Scientific Direction, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Tommaso Mazza
- Unit of Bioinformatics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Michelina Coco
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Domenico Trombetta
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Nicola Cingolani
- Unit of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Antonella Centonza
- Unit of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Paolo Graziano
- Unit of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Evaristo Maiello
- Unit of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Vito Michele Fazio
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Anna Muscarella
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Federico Pio Fabrizio, ; Lucia Anna Muscarella,
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5
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Cui D, Li W, Jiang D, Wu J, Xie J, Wu Y. Advances in Multi-Omics Applications in HBV-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:754709. [PMID: 34660653 PMCID: PMC8514776 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.754709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) specifically infects liver cells, leading to progressive liver cirrhosis and significantly increasing the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The maturity of sequencing technology, improvement in bioinformatics data analysis and progress of omics technologies had improved research efficiency. The occurrence and progression of HCC are affected by multisystem and multilevel pathological changes. With the application of single-omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics in tissue and body fluid samples, and even the novel development of multi-omics analysis on a single-cell platform, HBV-associated HCC changes can be better analyzed. The review summarizes the application of single omics and combined analysis of multi-omics data in HBV-associated HCC and proposes the importance of multi-omics analysis in the type of HCC, which provide the possibility for the precise diagnosis and therapy of HBV-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Cui
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Li
- Center of Research Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
| | - Daixi Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianguo Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China
| | - Jue Xie
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingping Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China
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6
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Elpek GO. Molecular pathways in viral hepatitis-associated liver carcinogenesis: An update. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:4890-4917. [PMID: 34307543 PMCID: PMC8283590 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i19.4890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of cancer among primary malignant tumors of the liver and is a consequential cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In recent years, uncovering the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and behavior of this tumor has led to the identification of multiple potential treatment targets. Despite the vast amount of data on this topic, HCC remains a challenging tumor to treat due to its aggressive behavior and complex molecular profile. Therefore, the number of studies aiming to elucidate the mechanisms involved in both carcinogenesis and tumor progression in HCC continues to increase. In this context, the close association of HCC with viral hepatitis has led to numerous studies focusing on the direct or indirect involvement of viruses in the mechanisms contributing to tumor development and behavior. In line with these efforts, this review was undertaken to highlight the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) participate in oncogenesis and tumor progression in HCC and summarize new findings. Cumulative evidence indicates that HBV DNA integration promotes genomic instability, resulting in the overexpression of genes related to cancer development, metastasis, and angiogenesis or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. In addition, genetic variations in HBV itself, especially preS2 deletions, may play a role in malignant transformation. Epigenetic dysregulation caused by both viruses might also contribute to tumor formation and metastasis by modifying the methylation of DNA and histones or altering the expression of microRNAs. Similarly, viral proteins of both HBV and HCV can affect pathways that are important anticancer targets. The effects of these two viruses on the Hippo-Yap-Taz pathway in HCC development and behavior need to be investigated. Additional, comprehensive studies are also needed to determine these viruses' interaction with integrins, farnesoid X, and the apelin system in malignant transformation and tumor progression. Although the relationship of persistent inflammation caused by HBV and HCV hepatitis with carcinogenesis is well defined, further studies are warranted to decipher the relationship among inflammasomes and viruses in carcinogenesis and elucidate the role of virus-microbiota interactions in HCC development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulsum Ozlem Elpek
- Department of Pathology, Akdeniz University Medical School, Antalya 07070, Turkey
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7
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Zhu L, Li X, Yuan Y, Dong C, Yang M. APC Promoter Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:653222. [PMID: 33968756 PMCID: PMC8103321 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.653222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, known as tumor suppressor gene, has the two promoters 1A and 1B. Researches on APC have usually focused on its loss-of-function variants causing familial adenomatous polyposis. Hypermethylation, however, which is one of the key epigenetic alterations of the APC CpG sequence, is also associated with carcinogenesis in various cancers. Accumulating studies have successively explored the role of APC hypermethylation in gastrointestinal (GI) tumors, such as in esophageal, colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, and hepatic cancer. In sporadic colorectal cancer, the hypermethylation of CpG island in APC is even considered as one of the primary causative factors. In this review, we systematically summarized the distribution of APC gene methylation in various GI tumors, and attempted to provide an improved general understanding of DNA methylation in GI tumors. In addition, we included a robust overview of demethylating agents available for both basic and clinical researches. Finally, we elaborated our findings and perspectives on the overall situation of APC gene methylation in GI tumors, aiming to explore the potential research directions and clinical values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lila Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Yuan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Caixia Dong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengyuan Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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8
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Wang W, Smits R, Hao H, He C. Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Liver Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E926. [PMID: 31269694 PMCID: PMC6679127 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11070926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is among the leading global healthcare issues associated with high morbidity and mortality. Liver cancer consists of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), hepatoblastoma (HB), and several other rare tumors. Progression has been witnessed in understanding the interactions between etiological as well as environmental factors and the host in the development of liver cancers. However, the pathogenesis remains poorly understood, hampering the design of rational strategies aiding in preventing liver cancers. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in the initiation and progression of HCC, CCA, and HB. Targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling potentiates a novel avenue for liver cancer treatment, which may benefit from the development of numerous small-molecule inhibitors and biologic agents in this field. In this review, we discuss the interaction between various etiological factors and components of Wnt/β-catenin signaling early in the precancerous lesion and the acquired mechanisms to further enhance Wnt/β-catenin signaling to promote robust cancer formation at later stages. Additionally, we shed light on current relevant inhibitors tested in liver cancers and provide future perspectives for preclinical and clinical liver cancer studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Ron Smits
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center and Postgraduate School Molecular Medicine, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Haiping Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Chaoyong He
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
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9
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Tai BJ, Yao M, Zheng WJ, Shen YC, Wang L, Sun JY, Wu MN, Dong ZZ, Yao DF. Alteration of oncogenic IGF-II gene methylation status associates with hepatocyte malignant transformation. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2019; 18:158-163. [PMID: 30692043 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oncogenic insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study aimed to analyze the dynamic alteration of IGF-II CpG site methylation status and its molecular mechanism in HCC progression. METHODS IGF-II alterations were observed in rat hepatocarcinogenesis models induced by 2-acetylaminofluorene. Liver IGF-II expression was compared by immunohistochemistry or tissue IGF-II specific concentration (nmol/mg protein). Status of human IGF-II promoter 3 (P3) or rat IGF-II P2 CpG site methylation was amplified by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Serum IGF-II levels were quantitatively detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The levels of hepatic IGF-II expression were significantly elevated in the HCC group (P < 0.001). The unmethylation rate of IGF-II P3 CpG sites was 100% in the HCC-, 52.5% in the paracancerous-, and none (0%) in the distal noncancerous-tissues. Abnormal IGF-II expression was related to differentiation degree, tumor invasion, and positive HBV-DNA (all P < 0.001), with a negative correlation between P3 methylation degree and IGF-II expression. There was a positive correlation between liver IGF-II specific concentration and circulating IGF-II level (r = 0.97, P < 0.001). Significantly negative correlation was found between IGF-II P2 CpG site methylation and circulating IGF-II (rs = -0.89, P < 0.001) or liver IGF-II level (rs = -0.84, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The increase of serum IGF-II and the alteration of oncogenic gene IGF-II methylation may be biomarkers for HCC diagnosis and DNA methylation may be the therapeutic target of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Jun Tai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Min Yao
- Department of Immunology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Wen-Jie Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Yu-Cheng Shen
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Haian Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226601, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Immunology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Jian-Ying Sun
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Meng-Na Wu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Zhi-Zhen Dong
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Deng-Fu Yao
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.
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10
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Liu Y, Zhu H, Zhang Z, Tu C, Yao D, Wen B, Jiang R, Li X, Yi P, Zhan J, Hu J, Ding J, Jiang L, Zhang F. Effects of a single transient transfection of Ten-eleven translocation 1 catalytic domain on hepatocellular carcinoma. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207139. [PMID: 30551127 PMCID: PMC6294611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor suppressor genes (TSGs), including Ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1), are hypermethylated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). TET1 catalytic domain (TET1-CD) induces genome-wide DNA demethylation to activate TSGs, but so far, anticancer effects of TET1-CD are unclear. Here we showed that after HCC cells were transiently transfected with TET1-CD, the methylation levels of TSGs, namely APC, p16, RASSF1A, SOCS1 and TET1, were distinctly reduced, and their mRNA levels were significantly increased and HCC cells proliferation, migration and invasion were suppressed, but the methylation and mRNA levels of oncogenes, namely C-myc, Bmi1, EMS1, Kpna2 and c-fos, were not significantly change. Strikingly, HCC subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice remained to be significantly repressed even 54 days after transient transfection of TET1-CD. So, transient transfection of TET1-CD may be a great advance in HCC treatment due to its activation of multiple TSGs and persistent anticancer effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Hui Zhu
- College of Pharmacy, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Zhenxue Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Changchun Tu
- College of Pharmacy, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Dongyuan Yao
- College of Pharmacy, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Bin Wen
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Ru Jiang
- Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Xing Li
- Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Pengfei Yi
- Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Jiejie Zhan
- Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Jiaping Hu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Jianwu Ding
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Liping Jiang
- College of Pharmacy, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Fanglin Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- * E-mail:
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11
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The role of circulating tumour cells and nucleic acids in blood for the detection of bladder cancer: A systematic review. Cancer Treat Rev 2018; 66:56-63. [PMID: 29684744 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood-based biomarkers are a neglected resource in bladder cancer, where the mainstay of focus has been on urinary biomarkers. However, blood-based biomarkers are gaining popularity in other solid cancers, particularly circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and circulating nucleic acids. In this systematic review, we identify and discuss the diagnostic value of CTC, cell-free DNA and RNA based biomarkers in bladder cancer. METHODS A MEDLINE/Pubmed systematic search was performed using the following keywords: (bladder cancer) AND (blood OR plasma OR serum) AND biomarker AND (DNA OR RNA OR cfDNA OR cell-free DNA OR RNA OR CTC). All studies including blood-based biomarkers based on DNA, RNA and CTCs were reviewed. Of the included studies, studies reporting sensitivity, specificity and/or AUC/ROC values were further described. RESULTS Systematic searched yielded 47 studies that were eligible, of which 21, 19 and 3 studies reported DNA, RNA and CTC biomarkers respectively. 15 of these studies included sensitivity, specificity and/or AUC/ROC values. Biomarkers sensitivity and specificity ranged widely at 2.4-97.6% and 43.3-100% respectively. Median number of patients recruited in the studies was 56 (IQR 41-90). Only 3 studies included an independent validation cohort. The highest sensitivity and specificity pairing achieved in the validation cohort was 80.0% and 89.1% respectively. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the blood-based CTC and nucleic acid biomarkers that have been investigated. An overlap in interest of targets between studies suggests that these could be promising biomarkers, but few biomarkers achieve high sensitivity and specificity, and fewer still have been validated independently.
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12
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Daud M, Rana MA, Husnain T, Ijaz B. Modulation of Wnt signaling pathway by hepatitis B virus. Arch Virol 2017; 162:2937-2947. [PMID: 28685286 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-017-3462-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has a global distribution and is one of the leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma. The precise mechanism of pathogenicity of HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not yet fully understood. Viral-related proteins are known to take control of several cellular pathways like Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β, Raf/MAPK and ROS for the virus's own replication. This affects cellular persistence, multiplication, migration, alteration and genomic instability. The Wnt/FZD/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a significant role in the pathology and physiology of the liver and has been identified as a main factor in HCC development. The role of β-catenin is linked mainly to the canonical pathway of the signaling system. Progression of liver diseases is known to be accompanied by disturbances in β-catenin expression (mainly overexpression), with its cytoplasmic or nuclear translocation. In recent years, studies have documented that the HBV X protein and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) can act as pathogenic factors that are involved in the modulation and induction of canonical Wnt signaling pathway. In the present review we explore the interaction of HBV genome products with components of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway that results in the enhancement of the pathway and leads to hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Daud
- Applied and Functional Genomics Lab, Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan
| | | | - Tayyab Husnain
- Applied and Functional Genomics Lab, Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan
| | - Bushra Ijaz
- Applied and Functional Genomics Lab, Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan.
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13
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Tea polyphenols EGCG and TF restrict tongue and liver carcinogenesis simultaneously induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine in mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2016; 300:34-46. [PMID: 27058323 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2016.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to understand the molecular mechanisms of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) induced multi-organ carcinogenesis in tongue and liver of the same mouse and restriction of carcinogenesis by Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and Theaflavin (TF), if any. For that purpose, cellular proliferation/apoptosis, prevalence of CD44 positive stem cell population and expressions of some key regulatory genes of self renewal Wnt and Hedgehog (Hh) pathways and some of their associated genes were analyzed in the NDEA induced tongue and liver lesions in absence or presence of EGCG/TF. Chronic NDEA exposure in oral cavity could decrease mice body weights and induce tongue and liver carcinogenesis with similar histological stages (severe dysplasia up to 30thweeks of NDEA administration). Increasing mice body weights were seen in continuous and post EGCG/TF treated groups. EGCG/TF treatment could restrict both the carcinogenesis at similar histological stages showing potential chemopreventive effect in continuous treated groups (mild dysplasia) followed by pre treatment (moderate dysplasia) and therapeutic efficacy in post treated groups (mild dysplasia) up to 30thweek. The mechanism of carcinogenesis by NDEA and restriction by the EGCG/TF in both tongue and liver were similar and found to be associated with modulation in cellular proliferation/apoptosis and prevalence of CD44 positive population. The up-regulation of self renewal Wnt/β-catenin, Hh/Gli1 pathways and their associated genes Cyclin D1, cMyc and EGFR along with down regulation of E-cadherin seen during the carcinogenesis processes were found to be modulated during the restriction processes by EGCG/TF.
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14
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Jain S, Xie L, Boldbaatar B, Lin SY, Hamilton JP, Meltzer SJ, Chen SH, Hu CT, Block TM, Song W, Su YH. Differential methylation of the promoter and first exon of the RASSF1A gene in hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatol Res 2015; 45:1110-23. [PMID: 25382672 PMCID: PMC4426255 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIM Aberrant methylation of the promoter, P2, and the first exon, E1, regions of the tumor suppressor gene RASSF1A, have been associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), albeit with poor specificity. This study analyzed the methylation profiles of P1, P2 and E1 regions of the gene to identify the region of which methylation most specifically corresponds to HCC and to evaluate the potential of this methylated region as a biomarker in urine for HCC screening. METHODS Bisulfite DNA sequencing and quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction assays were performed to compare methylation of the 56 CpG sites in regions P1, P2 and E1 in DNA isolated from normal, hepatitic, cirrhotic, adjacent non-HCC, and HCC liver tissue and urine samples for the characterization of hypermethylation of the RASSF1A gene as a biomarker for HCC screening. RESULTS In tissue, comparing HCC (n = 120) with cirrhosis and hepatitis together (n = 70), methylation of P1 had an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) of 0.90, whereas methylation of E1 and P2 had AUROC of 0.84 and 0.72, respectively. At 90% sensitivity, specificity for P1 methylation was 72.9% versus 38.6% for E1 and 27.1% for P2. Methylated P1 DNA was detected in urine in association with cirrhosis and HCC. It had a sensitivity of 81.8% for α-fetoprotein negative HCC. CONCLUSION Among the three regions analyzed, methylation of P1 is the most specific for HCC and holds great promise as a DNA marker in urine for screening of cirrhosis and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surbhi Jain
- JBS Science Inc., Doylestown, University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lijia Xie
- JBS Science Inc., Doylestown, University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Batbold Boldbaatar
- JBS Science Inc., Doylestown, University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Selena Y. Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - James P. Hamilton
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Stephen J. Meltzer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland; USA
| | - Shun-Hua Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan
| | - Chi-Tan Hu
- Department of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan, China,Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, China
| | - Timothy M. Block
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Wei Song
- JBS Science Inc., Doylestown, University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ying-Hsiu Su
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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15
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Sur S, Pal D, Mandal S, Roy A, Panda CK. Tea polyphenols epigallocatechin gallete and theaflavin restrict mouse liver carcinogenesis through modulation of self-renewal Wnt and hedgehog pathways. J Nutr Biochem 2015; 27:32-42. [PMID: 26386739 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Revised: 08/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate chemopreventive and therapeutic efficacy of tea polyphenols epigallocatechin gallete (EGCG) and theaflavin (TF) on self-renewal Wnt and Hedgehog (Hh) pathways during CCl4/N-nitosodiethylamine-induced mouse liver carcinogenesis. For this purpose, the effect of EGCG/TF was investigated in liver lesions of different groups at pre-, continuous and post initiation stages of carcinogenesis. Comparatively increased body weights were evident due to EGCG/TF treatment than carcinogen control mice. Both EGCG and TF could restrict the development of hepatocellular carcinoma at 30th week of carcinogen application showing potential chemoprevention in continuous treated group (mild dysplasia) followed by pretreated (moderate dysplasia) and therapeutic efficacy in posttreated group (mild dysplasia). This restriction was associated with significantly reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis, decreased prevalence of hepatocyte progenitor cell (AFP) and stem cell population (CD44) irrespective of EGCG/TF treatments. The EGCG/TF could modulate the Wnt pathway by reducing β-catenin and phospho-β-catenin-Y-654 expressions along with up-regulation of sFRP1 (secreted frizzled-related protein 1) and adenomatosis polyposis coli during the restriction. In case of the Hh pathway, EGCG/TF could also reduce expressions of glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) and SMO (smoothened homolog) along with up-regulation of PTCH1 (patched homolog 1). As a result, in Wnt/Hh regulatory pathways decreased expressions of β-catenin/Gli1 target genes like CyclinD1, cMyc and EGFR/phospho-EGFR-Y-1173 and up-regulation of E-cadherin were seen during the restriction. Thus, the restriction of liver carcinogenesis by EGCG/TF was due to reduction in hepatocyte progenitor cell/stem cell population along with modulation of Wnt/Hh and other regulatory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhayan Sur
- Dept. of Oncogene Regulation, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S.P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700 026, West Bengal, India.
| | - Debolina Pal
- Dept. of Oncogene Regulation, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S.P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700 026, West Bengal, India.
| | - Syamsundar Mandal
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S.P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700 026, India
| | - Anup Roy
- North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, India
| | - Chinmay Kumar Panda
- Dept. of Oncogene Regulation, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S.P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700 026, West Bengal, India.
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16
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Sur S, Pal D, Banerjee K, Mandal S, Das A, Roy A, Panda CK. Amarogentin regulates self renewal pathways to restrict liver carcinogenesis in experimental mouse model. Mol Carcinog 2015; 55:1138-49. [DOI: 10.1002/mc.22356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2015] [Revised: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Subhayan Sur
- Department of Oncogene Regulation; Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute; Kolkata India
| | - Debolina Pal
- Department of Oncogene Regulation; Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute; Kolkata India
| | - Kaustav Banerjee
- Department of Oncogene Regulation; Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute; Kolkata India
| | - Suvra Mandal
- Department of Chemistry; National Research Institute for Ayurvedic Drug Development; Kolkata India
| | - Ashes Das
- Department of Chemistry; National Research Institute for Ayurvedic Drug Development; Kolkata India
| | - Anup Roy
- North Bengal Medical College and Hospital; Darjeeling West Bengal India
| | - Chinmay Kumar Panda
- Department of Oncogene Regulation; Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute; Kolkata India
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17
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Jain S, Chang TT, Chen S, Boldbaatar B, Clemens A, Lin SY, Yan R, Hu CT, Guo H, Block TM, Song W, Su YH. Comprehensive DNA methylation analysis of hepatitis B virus genome in infected liver tissues. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10478. [PMID: 26000761 PMCID: PMC4650678 DOI: 10.1038/srep10478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic virus causing hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The methylation status of the HBV DNA in its different forms can potentially provide insight into the pathogenesis of HBV-related liver diseases, including HCC, however this is unclear. The goal of this study is to obtain comprehensive DNA methylation profiles of the three putative CpG islands in the HBV DNA in infected livers, with respect to liver disease progression. The extent of methylation in these CpG islands was first assessed using bisulfite PCR sequencing with a small set of tissue samples, followed by analysis using both quantitative bisulfite-specific PCR and quantitative methylation-specific PCR assays in a larger sample size (n = 116). The level of HBV CpG island 3 methylation significantly correlated with hepatocarcinogenesis. We also obtained, for the first time, evidence of rare, non-CpG methylation in CpG island 2 of the HBV genome in infected liver. Comparing methylation of the HBV genome to three known HCC-associated host genes, APC, GSTP1, and RASSF1A, we did not identify a significant correlation between these two groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ting-Tsung Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College and Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | | | | | | | - Selena Y Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ran Yan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Chi-Tan Hu
- Department of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Haitao Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Timothy M Block
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Wei Song
- JBS Science, Inc., Doylestown, Pennsylvania
| | - Ying-Hsiu Su
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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18
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Gao S, Wang K. DNA methylation in liver diseases. World J Clin Infect Dis 2014; 4:41-49. [DOI: 10.5495/wjcid.v4.i4.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Revised: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, growing evidences show that the combination of epigenetic and genetic abnormalities contribute together to the development of liver diseases. DNA methylation is a very important epigenetic mechanism in human beings. It refers to addition of the methyl groups to DNA and mainly occurs at cytosine adjacent to guanine. DNA methylation is prevalent across human genome and is essential for the normal human development, while its dysfunction is associated with many human diseases. A deep understanding of DNA methylation may provide us deep insight into the origination of liver diseases. Also, it may provide us new tools for diseases diagnosis and prognosis prediction. This review summarized recent progress of DNA methylation study and provided an overview of DNA methylation and liver diseases. Meanwhile, the association between DNA methylation and liver diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma, liver fibrosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and liver failure were extensively discussed. Finally, we discussed the potential of DNA methylation therapeutics for liver diseases and the value of DNA methylation as biomarkers for liver diseases diagnosis and prognosis prediction. This review aimed to provide the emerging DNA methylation information about liver diseases. It might provide essential information for managing and care of these patients.
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19
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Méniel V, Megges M, Young MA, Cole A, Sansom OJ, Clarke AR. Apc and p53 interaction in DNA damage and genomic instability in hepatocytes. Oncogene 2014; 34:4118-29. [PMID: 25347740 PMCID: PMC4351894 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Disruption of Apc within hepatocytes activates Wnt signaling, perturb differentiation and ultimately lead to neoplasia. Apc negatively regulates Wnt signaling but is also involved in organizing the cytoskeleton and may play a role in chromosome segregation. In vitro studies have implicated Apc in the control of genomic stability. However, the relevance of this data has been questioned in vivo as Apc is lost earlier than the onset of genomic instability. Here, we analyse the relationship between immediate loss of Apc and the acquisition of genomic instability in hepatocytes. We used Cre-lox technology to inactivate Apc and in combination with p53 in vivo, to define the consequences of gene loss upon cell-cycle regulation, proliferation, death and aneuploidy. We show that whilst Apc loss leads to increased proliferation, it also leads to increased apoptosis, the accumulation of p53, p21 and markers of DSBs and DNA repair. Flow cytometry revealed an increased 4N DNA content, consistent with a G2 arrest. Levels of anaphase bridges were also elevated, implicating failed chromosome segregation. This was accompanied by an increase in centrosome number which demonstrates a role for Apc in maintaining euploidy. To address the role of p53 in these processes, we analyzed combined loss of Apc and p53, which led to a further increase in proliferation, cell death, DNA damages and repair and a bypass of G2 arrest than was observed with Apc loss. However we observed only a marginal effect on anaphase bridges and centrosome number which could be due to increased cell death. Our data therefore establishes, in an in vivo setting, that APC loss leads to a DNA damage signature and genomic instability in the liver and that additional loss of p53 leads to an increase in the DNA damage signal but not to an immediate increase in the genomic instability phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Méniel
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - M Megges
- Department of Vertebrate Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - M A Young
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - A Cole
- The Beatson institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - O J Sansom
- The Beatson institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - A R Clarke
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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20
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Su YH, Lin SY, Song W, Jain S. DNA markers in molecular diagnostics for hepatocellular carcinoma. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2014; 14:803-17. [PMID: 25098554 DOI: 10.1586/14737159.2014.946908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in the world, mainly due to the difficulty of early detection and limited therapeutic options. The implementation of HCC surveillance programs in well-defined, high-risk populations were only able to detect about 40-50% of HCC at curative stages (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stages 0 & 1) due to the low sensitivities of the current screening methods. The advance of sequencing technologies has identified numerous modifications as potential candidate DNA markers for diagnosis/surveillance. Here we aim to provide an overview of the DNA alterations that result in activation of cancer pathways known to potentially drive HCC carcinogenesis and to summarize performance characteristics of each DNA marker in the periphery (blood or urine) for HCC screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hsiu Su
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 3805 Old Easton Road, Philadelphia, PA 18902, USA
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21
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Xu B, Nie Y, Liu X, Feng S, Yang Z, Wang Z, Zheng Q, Luo X. Quantitative analysis of APC promoter methylation in hepatocellular carcinoma and its prognostic implications. Oncol Lett 2014; 7:1683-1688. [PMID: 24765201 PMCID: PMC3997703 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2014.1951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to quantitatively determine the aberrant methylation signal of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to evaluate whether hypermethylation of the APC promoter could be a prognostic biomarker for HCC. Taqman probe-based quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction was performed to identify the APC promoter methylation levels in 57 HCC and corresponding non-tumorous liver tissues. In the present study, the methylation level of the APC promoter was upregulated by 4.51-fold in the HCC tissues compared with the non-cancerous tissues (P=0.0003). With regard to the clinicopathological data, the methylation level of the APC promoter in the HCC samples was higher in the patients with larger tumors when the cut-off was set at 4 cm (P=0.0008), and in the older patients when the cut-off was set at 60 years old (P=0.0438). However, the methylation status in the HCC samples appeared not to affect the overall patient survival rate (P=0.1684). The findings of the present study showed that APC promoter hypermethylation accumulates during the development of HCC, but that it may not be a promising prognostic biomarker for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiying Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai No. 6 People's Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yanfang Nie
- Department of Nephrology, Taizhou Central Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Shuqin Feng
- Shanxi Province Industry and Trade College, Taiyuan, Shanxi, P.R. China
| | - Zhili Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai No. 6 People's Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Zhigang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai No. 6 People's Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Qi Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai No. 6 People's Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoying Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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22
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Scott A, Song J, Ewing R, Wang Z. Regulation of protein stability of DNA methyltransferase 1 by post-translational modifications. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2014; 46:199-203. [PMID: 24389641 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmt146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mechanism that ensures correct gene expression and maintains genetic stability. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is the primary enzyme that maintains DNA methylation during replication. Dysregulation of DNMT1 is implicated in a variety of diseases. DNMT1 protein stability is regulated via various post-translational modifications, such as acetylation and ubiquitination, but also through protein-protein interactions. These mechanisms ensure DNMT1 is properly activated during the correct time of the cell cycle and at correct genomic loci, as well as in response to appropriate extracellular cues. Further understanding of these regulatory mechanisms may help to design novel therapeutic approaches for human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Scott
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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23
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Abstract
In recent years, our views on how DNA and genes are organised and regulated have evolved significantly. One example is provided by reports that single DNA strands in the double helix could carry distinct forms of information. That chromatids carrying old and nascently replicated DNA strands are recognised by the mitotic machinery, then segregated in a concerted way to distinct daughter cells after cell division is remarkable. Notably, this phenomenon in several cases has been associated with the cell fate choice of resulting daughter cells. Here, we review the evidence for asymmetric or template DNA strand segregation in mammals with a focus on skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Evano
- Institut Pasteur, Stem Cells & Development, Department of Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, CNRS URA 2578, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, Paris 75015, France
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24
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The expression and regulation of DFNA5 in human hepatocellular carcinoma DFNA5 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Biol Rep 2013; 40:6525-31. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-013-2581-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2012] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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25
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Jain S, Wojdacz TK, Su YH. Challenges for the application of DNA methylation biomarkers in molecular diagnostic testing for cancer. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2013; 13:283-94. [PMID: 23570406 DOI: 10.1586/erm.13.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation is ubiquitous in human cancer and has been shown to occur early during carcinogenesis, thus providing attractive potential biomarkers for the early detection of cancer. The introduction of genome-wide DNA methylation analysis comparing tumor and nonmalignant tissues resulted in the discovery of many regions that undergo aberrant methylation during carcinogenesis. Those regions can potentially be used as biomarkers for cancer detection. However, a biomarker will be useful for screening or early detection of cancer only if it can be detected in a noninvasive or minimally invasive fashion without tissue biopsy. The authors discuss the challenges in translating DNA methylation biomarkers to cancer diagnosis - including obstacles in assay development, tissue-specific methylation load on tumor suppressor genes, detecting markers with sufficient sensitivity and specificity in the periphery, and ways in which these obstacles can be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surbhi Jain
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 18901, USA
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Yang ZH, Guo MZ, Li X, Mao GP. Zinc-finger protein 331 expression is regulated by promoter region hypermethylation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2013; 21:761-765. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v21.i9.761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To analyze the methylation status and the expression regulation of zinc-finger protein 331 (ZNF331) in hepatocellular carcinoma.
METHODS: Five human hepatic cancer cell lines and 50 specimens of human primary hepatic cancer were employed to detect ZNF331 promoter region methylation by methylation specific PCR (MSP). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of ZNF331.
RESULTS: Partial methylation was found in HBXF344, PLC/PRF/5, HepG2 and BEL-7402 cell lines. Methylation was not detected in SNU449 cell line. Weak expression of ZNF331 was found in HBXF344, PLC/PRF/5, HepG2 and BEL-7402 cell lines. ZNF331 was moderately expressed in SNU449 cell line. Increased expression of ZNF331 was found in HBXF344, HepG2, BEL-7402, and PLC/PRF/5 cell lines after 5-Aza treatment. No significant change was examined in ZNF331 expression in SNU449 cell line before and after 5-Aza treatment. ZNF331 was methylated in 80% (40/50) of primary human hepatic cancer specimens, but methylation was not detectable in normal liver tissue specimens (0/10). No correlation was found between promoter region methylation and gender, age, AFP level, hepatitis virus infection, tumor size or tumor stage.
CONCLUSION: ZNF331 expression is silenced by promoter region hypermethylation in human hepatocellular carcinoma. ZNF331 is frequently methylated in human primary hepatic cancer.
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Serotonin-glutamate and serotonin-dopamine reciprocal interactions as putative molecular targets for novel antipsychotic treatments: from receptor heterodimers to postsynaptic scaffolding and effector proteins. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013. [PMID: 23179966 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2921-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The physical and functional interactions between serotonin-glutamate and serotonin-dopamine signaling have been suggested to be involved in psychosis pathophysiology and are supposed to be relevant for antipsychotic treatment. Type II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptors have been reported to form heterodimers that modulate G-protein-mediated intracellular signaling differentially compared to mGluR2 and 5-HT(2A) homomers. Additionally, direct evidence has been provided that D(2) and 5-HT(2A) receptors form physical heterocomplexes which exert a functional cross-talk, as demonstrated by studies on hallucinogen-induced signaling. Moving from receptors to postsynaptic density (PSD) scenario, the scaffolding protein PSD-95 is known to interact with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), D(2) and 5-HT(2) receptors, regulating their activation state. Homer1a, the inducible member of the Homer family of PSD proteins that is implicated in glutamatergic signal transduction, is induced in striatum by antipsychotics with high dopamine receptor affinity and in the cortex by antipsychotics with mixed serotonergic/dopaminergic profile. Signaling molecules, such as Akt and glycogen-synthase-kinase-3 (GSK-3), could be involved in the mechanism of action of antipsychotics, targeting dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate neurotransmission. Altogether, these proteins stand at the crossroad of glutamate-dopamine-serotonin signaling pathways and may be considered as valuable molecular targets for current and new antipsychotics. The aim of this review is to provide a critical appraisal on serotonin-glutamate and serotonin-dopamine interplay to support the idea that next generation schizophrenia pharmacotherapy should not exclusively rely on receptor targeting strategies.
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Zopf S, Ocker M, Neureiter D, Alinger B, Gahr S, Neurath MF, Di Fazio P. Inhibition of DNA methyltransferase activity and expression by treatment with the pan-deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. BMC Cancer 2012; 12:386. [PMID: 22943463 PMCID: PMC3487800 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-12-386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still represents an unmet medical need. Epigenetic inactivation of tumor suppressor genes like RASSF1A or APC by overexpression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) has been shown to be common in HCC and to be linked to the overall prognosis of patients. Inhibitors of protein and histone deacetylases (DACi) have been demonstrated to possess strong anti-tumor effects in HCC models. METHODS We therefore investigated whether DACi also has any influence on the expression and activity of DNMTs and methylated target genes in HepG2 and Hep3B cell culture systems and in a xenograft model by immunohistochemistry, westernblotting, RT-qPCR and methylation-specific PCR. RESULTS Our findings demonstrate a rapid inhibition of DNMT activity 6 h after treatment with 0.1 μM of the pan-DACi panobinostat. A downregulation of DNMT mRNAs and protein were also observed at later points in time. This loss of DNMT activity and expression was paralleled by a diminished methylation of the target genes RASSF1A and APC and a concomitant re-expression of APC mRNA and protein. Analysis of HepG2 xenograft specimens confirmed these results in vivo. CONCLUSION We suggest a dual mode of action of DACi on DNA methylation status: a rapid inhibition of enzyme activity due to interference with posttranslational acetylation and a delayed effect on transcriptional control of DNMT genes by HDAC or miRNA mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Zopf
- Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Matthias Ocker
- Institute for Surgical Research, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Neureiter
- Institute of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Beate Alinger
- Institute of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Susanne Gahr
- Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
- Department of Pneumology, Klinikum Nuremberg Nord, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Markus F Neurath
- Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Pietro Di Fazio
- Institute for Surgical Research, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Impact of the location of CpG methylation within the GSTP1 gene on its specificity as a DNA marker for hepatocellular carcinoma. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35789. [PMID: 22536438 PMCID: PMC3335004 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2011] [Accepted: 03/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypermethylation of the glutathione S-transferase π 1 (GSTP1) gene promoter region has been reported to be a potential biomarker to distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from other liver diseases. However, reports regarding how specific a marker it is have ranged from 100% to 0%. We hypothesized that, to a large extent, the variation of specificity depends on the location of the CpG sites analyzed. To test this hypothesis, we compared the methylation status of the GSTP1 promoter region of the DNA isolated from HCC, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and normal liver tissues by bisulfite-PCR sequencing. We found that the 5' region of the position -48 nt from the transcription start site of the GSTP1 gene is selectively methylated in HCC, whereas the 3' region is methylated in all liver tissues examined, including normal liver and the HCC tissue. Interestingly, when DNA derived from fetal liver and 11 nonhepatic normal tissue was also examined by bisulfite-PCR sequencing, we found that methylation of the 3' region of the promoter appeared to be liver-specific. A methylation-specific PCR assay targeting the 5' region of the promoter was developed and used to quantify the methylated GSTP1 gene in various diseased liver tissues including HCC. When we used an assay targeting the 3' region, we found that the methylation of the 5'-end of the GSTP1 promoter was significantly more specific than that of the 3'-end (97.1% vs. 60%, p<0.0001 by Fisher's exact test) for distinguishing HCC (n = 120) from hepatitis (n = 35) and cirrhosis (n = 35). Encouragingly, 33.8% of the AFP-negative HCC contained the methylated GSTP1 gene. This study clearly demonstrates the importance of the location of CpG site methylation for HCC specificity and how liver-specific DNA methylation should be considered when an epigenetic DNA marker is studied for detection of HCC.
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