Prognostic value of SPARC in hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

SPARC Controls Migration and Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Via Regulating GPD2-Mediated Mitochondrial Respiration

Mitochondrial respiration and metabolism play a pivotal role in facilitating the migratory and invasive capacities of cancer cells. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential influence of glycoprotein SPARC on mitochondrial respiration and its subsequent influence on the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Lentivirus-mediated shRNA delivery was employed to deplete SPARC in HCC cell lines. The mitochondria localization of SPARC was validated using cellular fractionation followed by Western blot analysis, as well as immunofluorescence staining and Proteinase K protection assay. Co-immunoprecipitation was employed to investigate the interaction between SPARC and GPD2. Seahorse XF Cell Mito Stress Test was conducted to assess the mitochondrial respiration and functionality of HCC cells. Our study identifies an active pool of SPARC within the mitochondria of HCC cells, with the mitochondrial subset proving crucial for the regulation of migration and invasion. The mitochondrial SPARC interacts with GPD2, influencing its expression levels and subsequently modulating GPD2-mediated mitochondrial respiration. This regulatory mechanism orchestrates the migratory and invasive phenotypes of HCC cells. Notably, SPARC and GPD2 exhibit upregulated expression in HCC tissues compared to normal liver tissues. High expression levels of both SPARC and GPD2 in HCC patients are associated with a poorer prognosis. Our study unveils a novel role for SPARC in governing HCC cell migration and invasion through regulating GPD2-mediated mitochondrial respiration. These findings underscore the importance of mitochondrial processes in cancer progression and propose the SPARC/GPD2 axis as a promising target for HCC interventions.

SPARC: a potential target for functional nanomaterials and drugs

Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), also termed osteonectin or BM-40, is a matricellular protein which regulates cell adhesion, extracellular matrix production, growth factor activity, and cell cycle. Although SPARC does not perform a structural function, it, however, modulates interactions between cells and the surrounding extracellular matrix due to its anti-proliferative and anti-adhesion properties. The overexpression of SPARC at sites, including injury, regeneration, obesity, cancer, and inflammation, reveals its application as a prospective target and therapeutic indicator in the treatment and assessment of disease. This article comprehensively summarizes the mechanism of SPARC overexpression in inflammation and tumors as well as the latest research progress of functional nanomaterials in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis and tumors by manipulating SPARC as a new target. This article provides ideas for using functional nanomaterials to treat inflammatory diseases through the SPARC target. The purpose of this article is to provide a reference for ongoing disease research based on SPARC-targeted therapy.

Omics Overview of the SPARC Gene in Mesothelioma

The SPARC gene plays multiple roles in extracellular matrix synthesis and cell shaping, associated with tumor cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. The SPARC gene is also involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, which is a critical phenomenon leading to a more aggressive cancer cell phenotype. SPARC gene overexpression has shown to be associated with poor survival in the mesothelioma (MESO) cohort from the TCGA database, indicating that this gene may be a powerful prognostic factor in MESO. Its overexpression is correlated with the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Here, we summarize the omics advances of the SPARC gene, including the summary of SPARC gene expression associated with prognosis in pancancer and MESO, the immunosuppressive microenvironment, and cancer cell stemness. In addition, SPARC might be targeted by microRNAs. Notably, despite the controversial functions on angiogenesis, SPARC may directly or indirectly contribute to tumor angiogenesis in MESO. In conclusion, SPARC is involved in tumor invasion, metastasis, immunosuppression, cancer cell stemness, and tumor angiogenesis, eventually impacting patient survival. Strategies targeting this gene may provide novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of MESO.