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Ali FEM, Ibrahim IM, Althagafy HS, Hassanein EHM. Role of immunotherapies and stem cell therapy in the management of liver cancer: A comprehensive review. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 132:112011. [PMID: 38581991 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112011] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Liver cancer (LC) is the sixth most common disease and the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality. The WHO predicts that more than 1 million deaths will occur from LC by 2030. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common form of primary LC. Today, the management of LC involves multiple disciplines, and multimodal therapy is typically selected on an individual basis, considering the intricate interactions between the patient's overall health, the stage of the tumor, and the degree of underlying liver disease. Currently, the treatment of cancers, including LC, has undergone a paradigm shift in the last ten years because of immuno-oncology. To treat HCC, immune therapy approaches have been developed to enhance or cause the body's natural immune response to specifically target tumor cells. In this context, immune checkpoint pathway inhibitors, engineered cytokines, adoptive cell therapy, immune cells modified with chimeric antigen receptors, and therapeutic cancer vaccines have advanced to clinical trials and offered new hope to cancer patients. The outcomes of these treatments are encouraging. Additionally, treatment using stem cells is a new approach for restoring deteriorated tissues because of their strong differentiation potential and capacity to release cytokines that encourage cell division and the formation of blood vessels. Although there is no proof that stem cell therapy works for many types of cancer, preclinical research on stem cells has shown promise in treating HCC. This review provides a recent update regarding the impact of immunotherapy and stem cells in HCC and promising outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fares E M Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, 71524, Egypt; Michael Sayegh, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aqaba University of Technology, Aqaba 77110, Jordan.
| | - Islam M Ibrahim
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, 71524, Egypt
| | - Hanan S Althagafy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emad H M Hassanein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, 71524, Egypt
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2
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Afsar S, Syed RU, Bin Break MK, Alsukaybi RH, Alanzi RA, Alshobrmi AM, Alshagdali NM, Alshammari AD, Alharbi FM, Alshammari AM, Algharbi WF, Albrykan KM, Alshammari FN. The dual role of MiR-210 in the aetiology of cancer: A focus on hypoxia-inducible factor signalling. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 253:155018. [PMID: 38070222 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.155018] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Tumorigenesis exemplifies the complex process of neoplasm origination, which is characterised by somatic genetic alterations and abnormal cellular growth. This multidimensional phenomenon transforms previously dormant cells into malignant equivalents, resulting in uncontrollable proliferation and clonal expansion. Various elements, including random mutations, harmful environmental substances, and genetic predispositions, influence tumorigenesis's aetiology. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are now recognised as crucial determinants of gene expression and key players in several biological methods, including oncogenesis. A well-known hypoxia-inducible miRNA is MiR-210, which is of particular interest because of its complicated role in the aetiology of cancer and a variation of physiological and pathological situations. MiR-210 significantly impacts cancer by controlling the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signalling pathway. By supporting angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, and cellular survival in hypoxic microenvironments, HIF signalling orchestrates adaptive responses, accelerating the unstoppable development of tumorous growth. Targeting several components of this cascade, including HIF-1, HIF-3, and FIH-1, MiR-210 plays a vital role in modifying HIF signalling and carefully controlling the HIF-mediated response and cellular fates in hypoxic environments. To understand the complexities of this relationship, careful investigation is required at the intersection of MiR-210 and HIF signalling. Understanding this relationship is crucial for uncovering the mechanisms underlying cancer aetiology and developing cutting-edge therapeutic approaches. The current review emphasises MiR-210's significance as a vital regulator of the HIF signalling cascade, with substantial implications spanning a range of tumor pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Afsar
- Department of Virology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh 517502, India
| | - Rahamat Unissa Syed
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail 81442, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mohammed Khaled Bin Break
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail 81442, Saudi Arabia; Medical and Diagnostic Research Centre, University of Hail, Hail 55473, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Reem A Alanzi
- College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail 81442, Saudi Arabia
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Safaei S, Sajed R, Shariftabrizi A, Dorafshan S, Saeednejad Zanjani L, Dehghan Manshadi M, Madjd Z, Ghods R. Tumor matrix stiffness provides fertile soil for cancer stem cells. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:143. [PMID: 37468874 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02992-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Matrix stiffness is a mechanical characteristic of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that increases from the tumor core to the tumor periphery in a gradient pattern in a variety of solid tumors and can promote proliferation, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and recurrence. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare subpopulation of tumor cells with self-renewal, asymmetric cell division, and differentiation capabilities. CSCs are thought to be responsible for metastasis, tumor recurrence, chemotherapy resistance, and consequently poor clinical outcomes. Evidence suggests that matrix stiffness can activate receptors and mechanosensor/mechanoregulator proteins such as integrin, FAK, and YAP, modulating the characteristics of tumor cells as well as CSCs through different molecular signaling pathways. A deeper understanding of the effect of matrix stiffness on CSCs characteristics could lead to development of innovative cancer therapies. In this review, we discuss how the stiffness of the ECM is sensed by the cells and how the cells respond to this environmental change as well as the effect of matrix stiffness on CSCs characteristics and also the key malignant processes such as proliferation and EMT. Then, we specifically focus on how increased matrix stiffness affects CSCs in breast, lung, liver, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. We also discuss how the molecules responsible for increased matrix stiffness and the signaling pathways activated by the enhanced stiffness can be manipulated as a therapeutic strategy for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadegh Safaei
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
| | - Roya Sajed
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
| | - Ahmad Shariftabrizi
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Shima Dorafshan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
| | - Leili Saeednejad Zanjani
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Masoumeh Dehghan Manshadi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
| | - Zahra Madjd
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran.
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran.
| | - Roya Ghods
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran.
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran.
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4
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Xuan SH, Hua ML, Xiang Z, He XL, Huang L, Jiang C, Dong P, Wu J. Roles of cancer stem cells in gastrointestinal cancers. World J Stem Cells 2023; 15:209-220. [PMID: 37181004 PMCID: PMC10173810 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v15.i4.209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the main cause of tumor growth, invasion, metastasis and recurrence. Recently, CSCs have been extensively studied to identify CSC-specific surface markers as well as signaling pathways that play key roles in CSCs self-renewal. The involvement of CSCs in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers also highlights these cells as a priority target for therapy. The diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of GI cancer have always been a focus of attention. Therefore, the potential application of CSCs in GI cancers is receiving increasing attention. This review summarizes the role of CSCs in GI cancers, focusing on esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. In addition, we propose CSCs as potential targets and therapeutic strategies for the effective treatment of GI cancers, which may provide better guidance for clinical treatment of GI cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Hai Xuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The People’s Hospital of Dongtai City, Dongtai 224299, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Meng-Lu Hua
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ze Xiang
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiang-Lin He
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chun Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Peng Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310015, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
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5
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Qin YF, Zhou ZY, Fu HW, Lin HM, Xu LB, Wu WR, Liu C, Xu XL, Zhang R. Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Promotes Stemness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Regulating MicroRNA-203a. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:118-129. [PMID: 36406317 PMCID: PMC9647105 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2021.00373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Patients with persistent positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), even with a low HBV-DNA load, have a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than those without HBV infection. Given that tumor stemness has a critical role in the occurrence and maintenance of neoplasms, this study aimed to explore whether HBsAg affects biological function and stemness of HCC by regulating microRNA, and to explore underlying mechanisms. METHODS We screened out miR-203a, the most significant down-regulated microRNA in the microarray analysis of HBsAg-positive samples and focused on that miRNA in the ensuing study. In vitro and in vivo functional experiments were performed to assess its regulatory function. The effect of miR-203a on stemness and the possible correlation with BMI1 were analyzed in this study. RESULTS MiR-203a was significantly down-regulated in HBsAg-positive HCC with the sharpest decrease shown in microarray analysis. The negative correlation between miR-203a and HBsAg expression was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR after stimulation or overexpression/knockdown of HBsAg in cells. We demonstrated the function of miR-203a in inhibiting HCC cell proliferation, migration, clonogenic capacity, and tumor development in vivo. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR-203a remarkably increases the sensitivity of tumor cells to 5-FU treatment and decreases the proportion of HCC cells with stem markers. In concordance with our study, the survival analysis of both The Cancer Genome Atlas database and samples in our center indicated a worse prognosis in patients with low level of miR-203a. We also found that BMI1, a gene maintains the self-renewal capacity of stem cells, showed a significant negative correlation with miR-203a in HCC specimen (p<0.001). Similarly, opposite BMI1 changes after overexpression/knockdown of miR-203a were also confirmed in vitro. Dual luciferase reporting assay suggested that miR-203a may regulate BMI1 expression by direct binding. CONCLUSIONS HBsAg may promote the development of HCC and tumor stemness by inhibiting miR-203a, resulting in poor prognosis. miR-203a may serve as a crucial treatment target in HBsAg-positive HCC. More explicit mechanistic studies and animal experiments need to be conducted as a next step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Fei Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zi-Yu Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hou-Wei Fu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao-Ming Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lei-Bo Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-Rui Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Xu
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Correspondence to: Xiao-Lin Xu, Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China. E-mail: . Rui Zhang, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3335-093. Tel: +86-20-34070133, Fax: +86-20-3407109, E-mail:
| | - Rui Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Correspondence to: Xiao-Lin Xu, Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China. E-mail: . Rui Zhang, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3335-093. Tel: +86-20-34070133, Fax: +86-20-3407109, E-mail:
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6
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Wu WR, Shi XD, Zhang FP, Zhu K, Zhang R, Yu XH, Qin YF, He SP, Fu HW, Zhang L, Zeng H, Zhu MS, Xu LB, Wong PP, Liu C. Activation of the Notch1-c-myc-VCAM1 signalling axis initiates liver progenitor cell-driven hepatocarcinogenesis and pulmonary metastasis. Oncogene 2022; 41:2340-2356. [DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02246-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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7
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Marin JJG, Romero MR, Herraez E, Asensio M, Ortiz-Rivero S, Sanchez-Martin A, Fabris L, Briz O. Mechanisms of Pharmacoresistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: New Drugs but Old Problems. Semin Liver Dis 2022; 42:87-103. [PMID: 34544160 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1735631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy with poor prognosis when diagnosed at advanced stages in which curative treatments are no longer applicable. A small group of these patients may still benefit from transarterial chemoembolization. The only therapeutic option for most patients with advanced HCC is systemic pharmacological treatments based on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immunotherapy. Available drugs only slightly increase survival, as tumor cells possess additive and synergistic mechanisms of pharmacoresistance (MPRs) prior to or enhanced during treatment. Understanding the molecular basis of MPRs is crucial to elucidate the genetic signature underlying HCC resistome. This will permit the selection of biomarkers to predict drug treatment response and identify tumor weaknesses in a personalized and dynamic way. In this article, we have reviewed the role of MPRs in current first-line drugs and the combinations of immunotherapeutic agents with novel TKIs being tested in the treatment of advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose J G Marin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta R Romero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Herraez
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maitane Asensio
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Ortiz-Rivero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Anabel Sanchez-Martin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Luca Fabris
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Liver Center (YLC), School of Medicine, Yale University New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Oscar Briz
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
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8
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Zhang X, Li N, Zhu Y, Wen W. The role of mesenchymal stem cells in the occurrence, development, and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Med 2022; 11:931-943. [PMID: 34981659 PMCID: PMC8855904 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver malignant tumor, with high recurrence and mortality rates. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can be recruited into the tumor microenvironment (TME). What is known, TME plays a vital part in tumor progression. In recent years, accumulating studies have found that MSCs have a dual role of promotion and inhibition in the occurrence and development of HCC. In this review, we analyzed the role of MSCs in TME and summarized the relationship between MSCs and liver cancer stem cells, the molecular signaling pathway mechanisms of MSCs promoting and inhibiting HCC, and the latest research progress of MSCs in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Zhang
- Liver Disease Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Na Li
- Liver Disease Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Liver Disease Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Wei Wen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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9
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Dai X, Guo Y, Hu Y, Bao X, Zhu X, Fu Q, Zhang H, Tong Z, Liu L, Zheng Y, Zhao P, Fang W. Immunotherapy for targeting cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. Theranostics 2021; 11:3489-3501. [PMID: 33537099 PMCID: PMC7847682 DOI: 10.7150/thno.54648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid development and remarkable success of checkpoint inhibitors have provided significant breakthroughs in cancer treatment, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, only 15-20% of HCC patients can benefit from checkpoint inhibitors. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for recurrence, metastasis, and local and systemic therapy resistance in HCC. Accumulating evidence has suggested that HCC CSCs can create an immunosuppressive microenvironment through certain intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms, resulting in immune evasion. Intrinsic evasion mechanisms mainly include activation of immune-related CSC signaling pathways, low-level expression of antigen presenting molecules, and high-level expression of immunosuppressive molecules. External evasion mechanisms are mainly related to HBV/HCV infection, alcoholic/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hypoxia stimulation, abnormal angiogenesis, and crosstalk between CSCs and immune cells. A better understanding of the complex mechanisms of CSCs involved in immune evasion will contribute to therapies for HCC. Here we will outline the detailed mechanisms of immune evasion for CSCs, and provide an overview of the current immunotherapies targeting CSCs in HCC.
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10
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The Cancer Stem Cell in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030684. [PMID: 32183251 PMCID: PMC7140091 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The recognition of intra-tumoral cellular heterogeneity has given way to the concept of the cancer stem cell (CSC). According to this concept, CSCs are able to self-renew and differentiate into all of the cancer cell lineages present within the tumor, placing the CSC at the top of a hierarchical tree. The observation that these cells—in contrast to bulk tumor cells—are able to exclusively initiate new tumors, initiate metastatic spread and resist chemotherapy implies that CSCs are solely responsible for tumor recurrence and should be therapeutically targeted. Toward this end, dissecting and understanding the biology of CSCs should translate into new clinical therapeutic approaches. In this article, we review the CSC concept in cancer, with a special focus on hepatocellular carcinoma.
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11
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Choi SH, Cho KJ, Yun SH, Jin B, Lee HY, Ro SW, Kim DY, Ahn SH, Han KH, Park JY. HKR3 regulates cell cycle through the inhibition of hTERT in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. J Cancer 2020; 11:2442-2452. [PMID: 32201515 PMCID: PMC7066026 DOI: 10.7150/jca.39380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is a malignant disease with improved hepatic regeneration and survival, and is activated by human telomere transferase (hTERT). hTERT is expressed during early fetal development and switched off in most adult tissues, but it becomes reactivated in HCC. The exact mechanism regulating these expression changes remains unknown during HCC progress. We evaluated the relationship between hTERT expression and human kruppel-related 3 (HKR3) and cell cycle-related factors in HCC cell lines. Following transfection for hTERT knockdown and HKR3 overexpression, proteomic and transcriptomic analyses related to hTERT were performed using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and RNA sequencing (RNAseq) in HCC cell lines. The expression levels of hTERT, HKR3, and cell cycle-related factors were measured using western blotting, and tumor growth were evaluated via cell proliferation and cell cycle assays. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses showed that HKR3, hTERT and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) were correlated. Up-regulation of HKR3 expression decreased hTERT and cyclin activation and suppressed the G1/S phase of the cell cycle through CDKN2A activation. Our results suggest that HKR3 induced regulation of cell cycle through hTERT inhibition and CDKN2A activation. Our results will facilitate further exploration of the pathways regulating human telomerase activity in HCC cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hoon Choi
- Yonsei Liver Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Joo Cho
- Yonsei Liver Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 plus project for medical science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Ho Yun
- Division of Bioconvergence Analysis, Drug & Disease Target Team, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Bora Jin
- Yonsei Liver Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 plus project for medical science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha Young Lee
- Division of Bioconvergence Analysis, Drug & Disease Target Team, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Cheongju, Republic of Korea.,Bio-Analysis Science, University of Science & Technology (UST), 217 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Simon W Ro
- Yonsei Liver Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Young Kim
- Yonsei Liver Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Yonsei Liver Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 plus project for medical science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Hyub Han
- Yonsei Liver Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Division of Bioconvergence Analysis, Drug & Disease Target Team, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Cheongju, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Yong Park
- Yonsei Liver Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 plus project for medical science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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12
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Han S, Shi Y, Sun L, Liu Z, Song T, Liu Q. MiR-4319 induced an inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and prevented cancer stemness of HCC through targeting FOXQ1. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:2936-2947. [PMID: 31853229 PMCID: PMC6909970 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.38000] [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: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneity existing in tumours is responsible for the poor response to treatment. Therefore, elucidating the molecular mechanisms of intratumoural heterogeneity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is vital for the discovery of new therapeutic methods for improving the prognosis of patients. Of note, cancer stem cells (CSCs) existing in HCC may explain the pathological properties of heterogeneity and recurrence. An increasing number of studies have confirmed that abnormally expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) take part in the carcinogenesis as well as the aggravation of HCC. However, little information is currently available about the specific miR-4319 in HCC. Herein, we demonstrated that the level of miR-4319 was remarkably decreased in HCC specimens and cells compared to that in normal counterparts and that the depression of miR-4319 in tumour specimens correlates with tumour size, histological grade and venous invasion. Through a series of functional experiments, we illustrated that miR-4319 repressed cell proliferation, accelerated apoptosis, inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and prevented cancer stemness in HCC cells by targeting FOXQ1 (Forkhead box Q1). An in vivo tumourigenesis assay uncovered that depletion of miR-4319 in Hep3B cells increased tumour growth and elevated the expression of EMT and CSC markers in comparison to those of the control group. Restoration of FOXQ1 expression also partially reversed the miR-4319-induced biological effects on HCC cells. Thus, miR-4319, as a posttranscriptional regulator, plays a profound role in suppressing the malignant progression of HCC, and our study highlights the miR-4319/FOXQ1 cascade as a potential therapeutic target for conquering HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoshan Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yu Shi
- Department of oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Liankang Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Zhikui Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Tao Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Qingguang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, China
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13
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Zhou Y, Wang Y, Zhou W, Chen T, Wu Q, Chutturghoon VK, Lin B, Geng L, Yang Z, Zhou L, Zheng S. YAP promotes multi-drug resistance and inhibits autophagy-related cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma via the RAC1-ROS-mTOR pathway. Cancer Cell Int 2019; 19:179. [PMID: 31337986 PMCID: PMC6626386 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-019-0898-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Multi-drug resistance is the major cause of chemotherapy failure in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). YAP, a critical effector of the Hippo pathway, has been shown to contribute to the progression, metastasis and invasion of cancers. However, the potential role of YAP in mediating drug resistance remains obscure. Methods RT-qPCR and western blot were used to assess YAP expression in HCC cell lines. CCK-8 assays, flow cytometry, a xenograft tumour model, immunochemistry and GFP-mRFP-LC3 fusion proteins were utilized to evaluate the effect of YAP on multi-drug resistance, intracellular ROS production and the autophagy of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Autophagy inhibitor and rescue experiments were carried out to elucidate the mechanism by which YAP promotes chemoresistance in HCC cells. Results We found that BEL/FU, a typical HCC cell line with chemoresistance, exhibited overexpression of YAP. Moreover, the inhibition of YAP by shRNA or verteporfin conferred the sensitivity of BEL/FU cells to chemotherapeutic agents through autophagy-related cell death in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, YAP silencing significantly enhanced autophagic flux by increasing RAC1-driven ROS, which contributed to the inactivation of mTOR in HCC cells. In addition, the antagonist of autophagy reversed the enhanced effect of YAP silencing on cell death under treatment with chemotherapeutic agents. Conclusion Our findings suggested that YAP upregulation endowed HCC cells with multi-drug resistance via the RAC1-ROS-mTOR pathway, resulting in the repression of autophagy-related cell death. The blockade of YAP may serve as a promising novel therapeutic strategy for overcoming chemoresistance in HCC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12935-019-0898-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhou
- 1Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,2Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,3Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province China.,4Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,5Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yubo Wang
- 1Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,2Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,3Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province China.,4Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,5Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wuhua Zhou
- 1Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,2Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,3Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province China.,4Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,5Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,6Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, China
| | - Tianchi Chen
- 1Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,2Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,3Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province China.,4Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,5Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qinchuan Wu
- 1Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,2Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,3Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province China.,4Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,5Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Vikram Kumar Chutturghoon
- 1Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,2Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,3Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province China.,4Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,5Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bingyi Lin
- 1Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Geng
- 1Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhe Yang
- 1Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- 1Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,2Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,3Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province China.,4Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,5Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- 1Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,2Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,3Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province China.,4Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, CAMS, Hangzhou, China.,5Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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14
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Zhang Y, Zhao W, Li S, Lv M, Yang X, Li M, Zhang Z. CXCL11 promotes self-renewal and tumorigenicity of α2δ1 + liver tumor-initiating cells through CXCR3/ERK1/2 signaling. Cancer Lett 2019; 449:163-171. [PMID: 30771435 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-initiating cells (TICs), which are responsible for sustaining tumor growth and recurrence, rely on several regulatory factors. However, the mechanism of inflammation-related molecules in the acquisition and maintenance of TIC properties in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. We previously demonstrated that the voltage-gated calcium channel α2δ1 subunit is a functional surface marker of HCC TICs. Here, we found that the expression of an inflammation-related molecule C-X-C motif chemokine 11 (CXCL11) was significantly upregulated in α2δ1+ HCC TICs and that CXCL11 induced the expression of stem cell-related genes, such as BMI1, NANOG, MDR1, ABCG2, and CACNA2D1. Furthermore, CXCL11 could promote the acquisition and maintenance of self-renewal, tumorigenic, and chemoresistance properties of α2δ1+ HCC TICs by activating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) through its affinity receptor CXCR3. Collectively, our results suggest that CXCL11 may positively regulate the stemness of α2δ1+ HCC TICs via ERK1/2 activation through an autocrine signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Mengzhu Lv
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Xiaodan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Meng Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Zhiqian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China.
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15
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Li N, Zhu Y. Targeting liver cancer stem cells for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2019; 12:1756284818821560. [PMID: 30719075 PMCID: PMC6348509 DOI: 10.1177/1756284818821560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors and prognosis remains poor. It has been increasingly recognized that liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) are responsible for the carcinogenesis, recurrence, metastasis and chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Targeting LCSCs is promising to be a new direction for the treatment of HCC. Herein, we summarize the potentially therapeutic targets in LCSCs at the level of genes, molecules and cells, such as knockout of oncogenes or oncoproteins, restoring the silent tumor suppressor genes, inhibition of the transcription factors and regulation of noncoding RNAs (including microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs) in LCSCs at the genetic level; inhibition of markers and blockade of the key signaling pathways of LCSCs at the molecular level; and inhibiting autophagy and application of oncolytic adenoviruses in LCSCs at the cellular level. Moreover, we analyze the potential targets in LCSCs to eliminate chemoresistance of HCC. Thereinto, the suppression of autophagy and Nanog by chloroquine and shRNA respectively may be the most promising targeting approaches. These targets may provide novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of HCC by targeting LCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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16
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Li W, Qiu Y, Hao J, Zhao C, Deng X, Shu G. Dauricine upregulates the chemosensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells: Role of repressing glycolysis via miR-199a:HK2/PKM2 modulation. Food Chem Toxicol 2018; 121:156-165. [PMID: 30171973 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Dauricine (Dau) is a natural alkaloid exhibiting anti-proliferative activity against several different types of malignant cell. However, effects of Dau on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms have remained to be fully elucidated. In this study, we found that Dau elevated the sensitivities of HCC cells to chemotherapeutic reagents, including cisplatin, sorafenib, and isoliensinine. Moreover, Dau promoted apoptosis of HCC cells triggered by these chemotherapeutic reagents. Consistently, in a xenograft mouse model, Dau sensitized HCC cells to sorafenib. In HCC cells, Dau dose-dependently inhibited glucose glycolysis and increased oxidative phosphorylation. Mechanistically, Dau downregulated the expression of hexokinase 2 (HK2) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2). HK2 and PKM2 can be directly targeted by miR-199a. Dau dose-dependently increased miR-199a expression in HCC cells. Transfection of anti-miR-199a abrogated Dau-mediated suppression of HK2 and PKM2. Dau-induced metabolic shift was thereby severely crippled by anti-miR-199a. In addition, the incremental activity of Dau on sorafenib sensitivity of HCC cells was diminished in response to the transfection of anti-miR-199a. Taken together, our findings provided novel insights into the impact of Dau on HCC cells and supported considering Dau as an adjuvant reagent in the clinical treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, PR China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Ethnopharmacology Education, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Yunhan Qiu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, PR China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Ethnopharmacology Education, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Ji Hao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, PR China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Ethnopharmacology Education, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Chi Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, PR China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Ethnopharmacology Education, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Xukun Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, PR China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Ethnopharmacology Education, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Guangwen Shu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, PR China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Ethnopharmacology Education, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, 430074, PR China.
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17
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FOXQ1/NDRG1 axis exacerbates hepatocellular carcinoma initiation via enhancing crosstalk between fibroblasts and tumor cells. Cancer Lett 2018; 417:21-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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18
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Cheng J, Liu C, Liu L, Chen X, Shan J, Shen J, Zhu W, Qian C. MEK1 signaling promotes self-renewal and tumorigenicity of liver cancer stem cells via maintaining SIRT1 protein stabilization. Oncotarget 2018; 7:20597-611. [PMID: 26967560 PMCID: PMC4991478 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer death. This high mortality has been commonly attributed to the presence of residual cancer stem cells (CSCs). Meanwhile, MEK1 signaling is regarded as a key molecular in HCC maintenance and development. However, nobody has figured out the particular mechanisms that how MEK1 signaling regulates liver CSCs self-renewal. In this study, we show that inhibition or depletion of MEK1 can significantly decrease liver CSCs self-renewal and tumor growth both in vitro and vivo conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that MEK1 signaling promotes liver CSCs self-renewal and tumorigenicity by maintaining SIRT1 level. Mechanistically, MEK1 signaling keeps SIRT1 protein stabilization through activating SIRT1 ubiquitination, which inhibits proteasomal degradation. Clinical analysis shows that patients co-expression of MEK1 and SIRT1 are associated with poor survival. Our finding indicates that MEK1-SIRT1 can act as a novel diagnostic biomarker and inhibition of MEK1 may be a viable therapeutic option for targeting liver CSCs treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamin Cheng
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Chungang Liu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Limei Liu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xuejiao Chen
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Juanjuan Shan
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Junjie Shen
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Cheng Qian
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
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19
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Wu J. Utilization of animal models to investigate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:42762-42776. [PMID: 27072576 PMCID: PMC5173170 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) comprises a spectrum of liver disorders with fat accumulation from simple fatty liver, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis/cirrhosis and NAFLD/NASH-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH is a progressive form of NAFLD and requires medical attention. One of 5-10 NASH patients may progress to end-state liver disease (ESLD or cirrhosis) in 5-10 years; meanwhile, life-threatening complications of ESLD and HCC account for major mortality. An increasing burden of NAFLD in clinics, elucidation of its pathogenesis and progression, and assessment of the efficacy of potential therapeutics demand reliable animal models. Most NASH-associated HCC occurs in cirrhotic subjects; however, HCC does appear in NASH patients without cirrhosis. Lipotoxicity, oxidant stress, insulin resistance, endoplasmic reticulum stress, altered adipokine and lymphokine profiles and gut microbiome changes affect NAFLD progression and constitute key pathobiologic interplays. How these factors promote malignant transformation in a microenvironment of steatotic inflammation and fibrosis/cirrhosis, and lead to development of neoplasms is one of critical questions faced in the hepatology field. The present review summarizes the characteristics of emerging rodent NASH-HCC models, and discusses the challenges in utilizing these models to unveil the mysteries of NASH-associated HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Liver Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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20
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Zhang Y, Zhao W, Han H, Li S, Chen D, Zhang Z. MicroRNA-31 suppresses the self-renewal capability of α2δ1 + liver tumor-initiating cells by targeting ISL1. Oncotarget 2017; 8:87647-87657. [PMID: 29152108 PMCID: PMC5675660 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence demonstrates that miRNAs, a class of small non-coding RNAs, are involved in the regulation of tumor-initiating cells (TICs) which are considered to be the origin of cancer development according to the cancer stem cell hypothesis. We have previously identified that miR-31 may play suppressive roles in α2δ1+ hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) TICs. Here, we confirm that the expression of miR-31 is significantly downregulated in α2δ1+ HCC TICs. Overexpression of miR-31 in α2δ1+ HCC TICs results in significant suppression of the self-renewal and tumorigenicity abilities of these cells. Conversely, knockdown the expression of miR-31 in PLC/PRF/5 cells is able to reprogram them into TICs with stem cell-like properties. Furthermore, the expression of ISL LIM Homeobox 1(ISL1), a transcription factor involved in recognition of undifferentiated cardiac progenitors, is negatively regulated by miR-31, and the luciferase reporters’ activities with the 3′-UTRs of ISL1 are inhibited significantly by miR-31. Collectively, our results suggest that miR-31 can negatively regulate the self-renewal ability of α2δ1+ liver TICs via silencing ISL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Haibo Han
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Dongji Chen
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Zhiqian Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, China
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21
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Liu Q, Chen K, Liu Z, Huang Y, Zhao R, Wei L, Yu X, He J, Liu J, Qi J, Qin Y, Li B. BORIS up-regulates OCT4 via histone methylation to promote cancer stem cell-like properties in human liver cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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22
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Ling S, Li J, Shan Q, Dai H, Lu D, Wen X, Song P, Xie H, Zhou L, Liu J, Xu X, Zheng S. USP22 mediates the multidrug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma via the SIRT1/AKT/MRP1 signaling pathway. Mol Oncol 2017; 11:682-695. [PMID: 28417539 PMCID: PMC5467492 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often fail because of multidrug resistance (MDR). The mechanisms of MDR are complex but cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are able to self‐renew and differentiate, have recently been shown to be involved. The deubiquitinating enzyme ubiquitin‐specific protease 22 (USP22) is a marker for CSCs. This study aimed to elucidate the role of USP22 in MDR of HCC and the underlying mechanisms. Using in vitro and in vivo assays, we found that modified USP22 levels were responsible for the altered drug‐resistant phenotype of BEL7402 and BEL/FU cells. Downregulation of USP22 dramatically inhibited the expression of ABCC1 (encoding MRP1) but weakly influenced ABCB1 (encoding P‐glycoprotein). Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) was reported previously as a functional mediator of USP22 that could promote HCC cell proliferation and enhance resistance to chemotherapy. In this study, USP22 directly interacted with SIRT1 and positively regulated SIRT1 protein expression. Regulation of the expression of both USP22 and SIRT1 markedly affected the AKT pathway and MRP1 expression. Inhibition of the AKT pathway by its specific inhibitor LY294002 resulted in downregulation of MRP1. USP22 and MRP1 expression was detected in 168 clinical HCC samples by immunohistochemical staining, and a firm relationship between USP22 and MRP1 was identified. Together, these results indicate that USP22 could promote the MDR in HCC cells by activating the SIRT1/AKT/MRP1 pathway. USP22 might be a potential target, through which the MDR of HCC in clinical setting could be reversed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunbin Ling
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jie Li
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiaonan Shan
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haojiang Dai
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Di Lu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xue Wen
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China
| | - Penghong Song
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haiyang Xie
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jimin Liu
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Xiao Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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23
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Wei L, Yin F, Zhang W, Li L. STROBE-compliant integrin through focal adhesion involve in cancer stem cell and multidrug resistance of ovarian cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e6345. [PMID: 28328815 PMCID: PMC5371452 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000006345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to be the root of carcinoma relapse and drug resistance in ovarian cancer. Hunting for the potential CSC genes and explain their functions would be a feasible strategy to meet the challenge of the drug resistance in ovarian cancer. In this study, we performed bioinformatic approaches such as biochip data extraction and pathway enrichment analyses to elucidate the mechanism of the CSC genes in regulation of drug resistance. Potential key genes, integrins, were identified to be related to CSC in addition to their associations with drug resistance and prognosis in ovarian cancer. A total of 36 ovarian CSC genes involved in regulation of drug resistance were summarized, and potential drug resistance-related CSC genes were identified based on 3 independent microarrays retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) Profiles. Pathway enrichment of CSC genes associated with drug resistance in ovarian cancer indicated that focal adhesion signaling might play important roles in CSC genes-mediated drug resistance. Integrins are members of the adhesion molecules family, and integrin subunit alpha 1, integrin subunit alpha 5, and integrin subunit alpha 6 (ITGA6) were identified as central CSC genes and their expression in side population cells, cisplatin-resistant SKOV3 (SKOV3/DDP2) cells, and cisplatin-resistant A2780 (A2780/DDP) cells were dysregulated as measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The high expression of ITGA6 in 287 ovarian cancer patients of TCGA cohort was significantly associated with poorer progression-free survival. This study provide the basis for further understanding of CSC genes in regulation of drug resistance in ovarian cancer, and integrins could be a potential biomarker for prognosis of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luwei Wei
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University
| | - Fuqiang Yin
- Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University
- Key Laboratory of High-Incidence-Tumor Prevention and Treatment (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University
| | - Li Li
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University
- Key Laboratory of High-Incidence-Tumor Prevention and Treatment (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, PR China
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24
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Okagawa Y, Takada K, Arihara Y, Kikuchi S, Osuga T, Nakamura H, Kamihara Y, Hayasaka N, Usami M, Murase K, Miyanishi K, Kobune M, Kato J. Activated p53 with Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Enhances L-Fucose-Mediated Drug Delivery through Induction of Fucosyltransferase 8 Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168355. [PMID: 27977808 PMCID: PMC5158067 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prognosis of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is dismal, underscoring the need for novel effective treatments. The α1,6-fucosyltransferase (fucosyltransferase 8, FUT8) has been reported to accelerate malignant potential in HCC. Our study aimed to investigate the regulation of FUT8 expression by p53 and develop a novel therapeutic strategy for targeting HCC cells using L-fucose-mediated drug delivery. METHODS Binding sites for p53 were searched for within the FUT8 promoter region. FUT8 expression was assessed by immunoblotting. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were performed to analyze p53 binding to the FUT8 promoter. The delivery of Cy5.5-encapsulated L-fucose-liposomes (Fuc-Lip-Cy5.5) to a Lens Culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of α-fetoprotein (AFP-L3)-expressing HCC cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The induction of FUT8 by histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) -inducing acetylated -p53 was evaluated by immunoblotting. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to assess whether the activation of p53 by HDACi affected the uptake of Fuc-Lip-Cy5.5 by HCC cells. The cytotoxicity of an L-fucose-bound liposome carrying sorafenib (Fuc-Lip-sorafenib) with HDACi was assessed in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS The knock down of p53 with siRNA led to decreased FUT8 expression. ChIP assays revealed p53 binds to the FUT8 promoter region. Flow cytometric analyses demonstrated the specific uptake of Fuc-Lip-Cy5.5 into AFP-L3-expressing HCC cells in a p53- and FUT8-dependent manner. HDACi upregulated the uptake of Fuc-Lip-Cy5.5 by HCC cells by increasing FUT8 via acetylated -p53. The addition of a HDACi increased apoptosis induced by Fuc-Lip-sorafenib in HCC cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal that FUT8 is a p53 target gene and suggest that p53 activated by HDACi induces Fuc-Lip-sorafenib uptake by HCC cells, highlighting this pathway as a promising therapeutic intervention for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Okagawa
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kohichi Takada
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yohei Arihara
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shohei Kikuchi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Osuga
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hajime Nakamura
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kamihara
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Naotaka Hayasaka
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Makoto Usami
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Murase
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Koji Miyanishi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Kobune
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Junji Kato
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
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25
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Abstract
The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multistep process involving the progressive accumulation of molecular alterations pinpointing different molecular and cellular events. The next-generation sequencing technology is facilitating the global and systematic evaluation of molecular landscapes in HCC. There is emerging evidence supporting the importance of cancer metabolism and tumor microenvironment in providing a favorable and supportive niche to expedite HCC development. Moreover, recent studies have identified distinct surface markers of cancer stem cell (CSC) in HCC, and they also put forward the profound involvement of altered signaling pathways and epigenetic modifications in CSCs, in addition to the concomitant drug resistance and metastasis. Taken together, multiple key genetic and non-genetic factors, as well as liver CSCs, result in the development and progression of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Wai-Hung Ho
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Regina Cheuk-Lam Lo
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Lo-Kong Chan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Irene Oi-Lin Ng
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China,*Irene O. L. Ng, MD, PhD, Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Room 127B, University Pathology Building, Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary, Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR (China), Tel. +852 2255 3967, E-Mail
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26
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Zhang L, Ge C, Zhao F, Zhang Y, Wang X, Yao M, Li J. NRBP2 Overexpression Increases the Chemosensitivity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via Akt Signaling. Cancer Res 2016; 76:7059-7071. [PMID: 27634758 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-0937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Revised: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is highly resistant to chemotherapy. Research data supported that cancer stem cells (CSC) may be responsible for the chemoresistance and strategies that suppress CSCs stemness could also inhibit the drug resistance. In this study, we found that nuclear receptor binding protein 2 (NRBP2) expression was downregulated in the CD133+ hepatocellular carcinoma CSCs. Most adjacent noncancerous liver tissue analyzed expressed higher level of NRBP2 compared with cancerous tissue in hepatocellular carcinoma patients, and high NRBP2 expression indicated a better prognosis. Real-time PCR results showed that NRBP2 negatively correlated with stemness-related genes, including Oct3/4, Nanog, Notch1, Ep300, and CD133 mRNA expression. High NRBP2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells downregulated CK19 protein expression, inhibited tumorsphere formation, and tumorigenesis ability, indicating that high NRBP2 expression restrains the hepatocellular carcinoma cell stemness. Overexpression of NRBP2 reduced the IC50 of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and NRBP2 expression was negatively correlated with hepatocellular carcinoma cell resistance to the chemotherapy agents, including cisplatin and the Akt signaling inhibitor perifosine. Coimmunoprecipitation results showed that NRBP2 could bind with Annexin A2 (ANXA2) and inhibit ANXA2 expression. Coexpression of ANXA2 restored the chemoresistant ability in NRBP2-overexpressing hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Further analysis showed that NRBP2 downregulated Akt and its downstream signaling target Bad phosphorylation level. ANXA2 coexpression partially restored the Akt phosphorylation. Analysis of the expression of Bcl2 family proteins showed that NRBP2 may increase hepatocellular carcinoma cell chemosensitivity by regulating expression of survival proteins involved in the Akt and Bcl2 pathway. These results suggest that NRBP2 plays an important role in the tumor progression and chemotherapeutic resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Res; 76(23); 7059-71. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fangyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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27
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Zhao ZG, Wang DQ, Hu DF, Li YS, Liu SH. Decreased FOXF1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis, invasion, and stemness and is associated with poor clinical outcome. Onco Targets Ther 2016; 9:1743-52. [PMID: 27042124 PMCID: PMC4809324 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s95002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box F1 (FOXF1), a member of the forkhead transcription factor superfamily, plays critical roles in the progression of certain types of cancers. However, the expression and function of FOXF1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still unclear. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry detected the relatively lower expression status of FOXF1 in HCC cases. Soft agar and transwell assays clearly demonstrated that FOXF1-knockdown cells showed significantly increased in vitro cell tumorigenesis and invasion, and FOXF1-overexpressing cells had significantly reduced growth and invasion potential. Our study also examined the role of FOXF1 in HCC cell stemness by sphere formation, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1) activity, and CD44/133-positive cell analysis. Enforced FOXF1 expression decreased HCC cell stemness, and the downregulation of FOXF1 promoted cancer cell stemness. The in vivo study showed that overexpressed FOXF1 inhibits nude mouse tumorigenicity with downregulation of CD44 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. More importantly, loss of FOXF1 expression was linked to poor overall survival time by Kaplan–Meier analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Guo Zhao
- Department of Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Jiangyin, People's Republic of China
| | - De-Qiang Wang
- Tumor Treatment Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - De-Fei Hu
- Clinical Laboratory, The Second People's Hospital of Huai'an, Huai'an, People's Republic of China
| | - You-Sheng Li
- Department of Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang-Hai Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Jiangyin, People's Republic of China
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28
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Zhang R, Wu WR, Shi XD, Xu LB, Zhu MS, Zeng H, Liu C. Dysregulation of Bmi1 promotes malignant transformation of hepatic progenitor cells. Oncogenesis 2016; 5:e203. [PMID: 26926789 PMCID: PMC5154353 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2016.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) are involved in a wide range of human liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Bmi1 has been reported to have vital roles in stem cell self-renewal and carcinogenesis. We have previously demonstrated that Bmi1 is upregulated in HCC with bile duct tumor thrombi, a subtype of HCC characterized by profuse expression of hepatic stem cell markers. However, the function of Bmi1 in HPCs has not yet been well elucidated. The current study was designed to investigate the effects of Bmi1 on the biological properties of rat HPCs. To accomplish this, Bmi1 was silenced or enhanced in two HPC cell lines (WB-F344 and OC3) by, respectively, using either small interfering RNA against Bmi1 or a forced Bmi1 expression retroviral vector. The biological functions of Bmi1 in HPCs were investigated through cell proliferation assays, colony-formation assays, cell cycle analysis and invasion assays, as well as through xenograft-formation assays. In this study, genetic depletion of Bmi1 repressed cell proliferation, colony formation and invasion in both assessed HPC cell lines relative to controls. Conversely, forced expression of Bmi1 in two HPCs cell lines promoted cell proliferation, colony formation and invasion in vitro. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) assay revealed a significant increase in the number of ALDH-positive cells following the forced expression of Bmi1 in HPCs. Most importantly, transplantation of forced Bmi1 expression HPCs into nude mice resulted in the formation of tumors with histological features of poorly differentiated HCC. Taken together, our findings indicate that forced expression of Bmi1 promotes the malignant transformation of HPCs, suggesting Bmi1 might be a potential molecular target for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - W R Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - X D Shi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - L B Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - M S Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - H Zeng
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - C Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation and Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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29
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Cheng Z, Li X, Ding J. Characteristics of liver cancer stem cells and clinical correlations. Cancer Lett 2015; 379:230-8. [PMID: 26272183 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver cancer is an aggressive malignant disease with a poor prognosis. Patients with liver cancer are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and thus miss the opportunity for surgical resection. Chemotherapy and radiofrequency ablation, which target tumor bulk, have exhibited limited therapeutic efficacy to date. Liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of undifferentiated cells existed in liver cancer, which are considered to be responsible for liver cancer initiation, metastasis, relapse and chemoresistance. Elucidating liver CSC characteristics and disclosing their regulatory mechanism might not only deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis of liver cancer but also facilitate the development of diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic approaches to improve the clinical management of liver cancer. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances in liver CSC research in terms of the origin, identification, regulation and clinical correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Cheng
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; National Center of Liver Cancer, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; National Center of Liver Cancer, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jin Ding
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; National Center of Liver Cancer, Shanghai 200433, China.
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30
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Chen C, Wang G. Mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma and challenges and opportunities for molecular targeted therapy. World J Hepatol 2015; 7:1964-1970. [PMID: 26244070 PMCID: PMC4517155 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i15.1964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have fallen dramatically in China and elsewhere over the past several decades. Nonetheless, HCC remains a major public health issue as one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide and one of the leading causes of death caused by cancer in China. Hepatocarcinogenesis is a very complex biological process associated with many environmental risk factors and factors in heredity, including abnormal activation of cellular and molecular signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, hedgehog, MAPK, AKT, and ERK signaling pathways, and the balance between the activation and inactivation of the proto-oncogenes and anti-oncogenes, and the differentiation of liver cancer stem cells. Molecule-targeted therapy, a new approach for the treatment of liver cancer, blocks the growth of cancer cells by interfering with the molecules required for carcinogenesis and tumor growth, making it both specific and selective. However, there is no one drug completely designed for liver cancer, and further development in the research of liver cancer targeted drugs is now almost stagnant. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of HCC and in the development of novel strategies for cancer therapeutics.
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31
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WANG XINHONG, LIU MINGNA, HUANG PING, XU JUN, LIU AIYUN, CHEN JING, LV CHENGQIAN, XU RUILING. Simultaneous silencing of β-catenin and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 synergistically induces apoptosis and inhibits cell proliferation in HepG2 liver cancer cells. Mol Med Rep 2015; 12:2263-8. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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