Ubiquitin D Promotes Progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma via NF-Kappa B Signaling

Cytokines-activated nuclear IKKα-FAT10 pathway induces breast cancer tamoxifen-resistance

Endocrine therapy that blocks estrogen signaling is the most effective treatment for patients with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. However, the efficacy of agents such as tamoxifen (Tam) is often compromised by the development of resistance. Here we report that cytokines-activated nuclear IKKα confers Tam resistance to ER+ breast cancer by inducing the expression of FAT10, and that the expression of FAT10 and nuclear IKKα in primary ER+ human breast cancer was correlated with lymphotoxin β (LTB) expression and significantly associated with relapse and metastasis in patients treated with adjuvant mono-Tam. IKKα activation or enforced FAT10 expression promotes Tam-resistance while loss of IKKα or FAT10 augments Tam sensitivity. The induction of FAT10 by IKKα is mediated by the transcription factor Pax5, and coordinated via an IKKα-p53-miR-23a circuit in which activation of IKKα attenuates p53-directed repression of FAT10. Thus, our findings establish IKKα-to-FAT10 pathway as a new therapeutic target for the treatment of Tam-resistant ER+ breast cancer.

Crosstalk between cancer cells and macrophages promotes OSCC cell migration and invasion through a CXCL1/EGF positive feedback loop

BACKGROUND

C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) and epithelial growth factor (EGF) are highly secreted by oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells and tumor-associated macrophages, respectively. Recent studies have shown that there is intricate "cross-talk" between OSCC cells and macrophages. However, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly elucidated.

METHODS

The expression of CXCL1 was detected by immunohistochemistry in OSCC clinical samples. CXCL1 levels were evaluated by RT‒PCR and ELISA in an OSCC cell line and a normal epithelial cell line. The expression of EGF was determined by RT‒PCR and ELISA. The effect of EGF on the proliferation of OSCC cells was evaluated by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. The effect of EGF on the migration and invasion ability and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of OSCC cells was determined by wound healing, Transwell, RT‒PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence assays. The polarization of macrophages was evaluated by RT‒PCR and flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to study the molecular mechanism in OSCC.

RESULTS

The expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) was higher in the OSCC cell line (Cal27) than in immortalized human keratinocytes (Hacat cells). CXCL1 derived from Cal27 cells upregulates the expression of epithelial growth factor (EGF) in macrophages. Paracrine stimulation mediated by EGF further facilitates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of Cal27 cells and initiates the upregulation of CXCL1 in a positive feedback-manner. Mechanistically, EGF signaling-induced OSCC cell invasion and migration can be ascribed to the activation of NF-κB signaling mediated by the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), as determined by western blotting.

CONCLUSIONS

OSCC cell-derived CXCL1 can stimulate the M2 polarization of macrophages and the secretion of EGF. Moreover, EGF significantly activates NF-κB signaling and promotes the migration and invasion of OSCC cells in a paracrine manner. A positive feedback loop between OSCC cells and macrophages was formed, contributing to the promotion of OSCC progression.

Ubiquitination, SUMOylation, and NEDDylation related genes serve as prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Ubiquitination, small ubiquitin-related modifiers, and NEDDylation are now found to function in cancer biology; however, its role in the oral cancer patients remains unclear.

METHODS

A set of bioinformatic tools was integrated to analyze the expression and prognostic significance of ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like (UB/UBL) genes. A UB/UBL-related risk score was developed via correlation analyses, univariate Cox regression, and multivariate Cox regression. Nomogram analysis evaluates the model's prediction performance. The drug sensitivity analysis, immune profiles of UB/UBL-classified oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients, and their related function pathway were investigated, and the role of UB/UBL-related genes in drug therapy was analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of six prognostic UB/UBL-related genes were obtained. PSMD3, PCGF2, and H2BC10 were significantly downregulated in OSCC tissue and associated with longer survival time. OSCC patients in the high-risk group showed a significantly lower overall survival and enriched in cancer-related pathways. The prognostic potential of genes associated with UB/UBL was discovered, and patients with high-risk scores showed an increase of protumor immune infiltrates and a high expression of immune checkpoints. Moreover, the area under the curve of the annual survival rate was 0.616, 0.671, and 0.673, respectively. Besides, patients in the high-risk group are more sensitive to docetaxel, doxorubicin, and methotrexate therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

We construct a prognosis model for OSCC patients with UB/UBL-related genes and try to find a new approach to treating oral cancer patients. The UB/UBL-related signature is helpful in developing new tumor markers, prognostic prediction, and in guiding treatment for OSCC patients.

Avenanthramide-C Shows Potential to Alleviate Gingival Inflammation and Alveolar Bone Loss in Experimental Periodontitis

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to the gradual destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth including gums, periodontal ligaments, alveolar bone, and root cementum. Recently, interests in alleviating symptoms of periodontitis (PD) using natural compounds is increasing. Avenanthramide-C (Avn-C) is a polyphenol found only in oats. It is known to exhibit various biological properties. To date, the effect of Avn-C on PD pathogenesis has not been confirmed. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the protective effects of Avn-C on periodontal inflammation and subsequent alveolar bone erosion in vitro and in vivo. Upregulated expression of catabolic factors, such as matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), MMP3, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and COX2 induced by lipopolysaccharide and proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), was dramatically decreased by Avn-C treatment in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells. Moreover, alveolar bone erosion in the ligature-induced PD mouse model was ameliorated by intra-gingival injection of Avn-C. Molecular mechanism studies revealed that the inhibitory effects of Avn-C on the upregulation of catabolic factors were mediated via ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and NF-κB pathway that was activated by IL-1β or p38 MAPK and JNK signaling that was activated by TNF-α, respectively. Based on this study, we recommend that Avn-C may be a new natural compound that can be applied to PD treatment.

Screening and identification of miR-181a-5p in oral squamous cell carcinoma and functional verification in vivo and in vitro

BACKGROUND

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common malignant tumor associated with poor prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial regulatory roles in the cancer development. However, the role of miRNAs in OSCC development and progression is not well understood.

METHODS

We sought to establish a dynamic Chinese hamster OSCC animal model, construct miRNA differential expression profiles of its occurrence and development, predict its targets, and perform functional analysis and validation in vitro.

RESULTS

Using expression and functional analyses, the key candidate miRNA (miR-181a-5p) was selected for further functional research, and the expression of miR-181a-5p in OSCC tissues and cell lines was detected. Subsequently, transfection technology and a nude mouse tumorigenic model were used to explore potential molecular mechanisms. miR-181a-5p was significantly downregulated in human OSCC specimens and cell lines, and decreased miR-181a-5p expression was observed in multiple stages of the Chinese hamster OSCC animal model. Moreover, upregulated miR-181a-5p significantly inhibited OSCC cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and migration; blocked the cell cycle; and promoted apoptosis. BCL2 was identified as a target of miR-181a-5p. BCL2 may interact with apoptosis- (BAX), invasion- and migration- (TIMP1, MMP2, and MMP9), and cell cycle-related genes (KI67, E2F1, CYCLIND1, and CDK6) to further regulate biological behavior. Tumor xenograft analysis indicated that tumor growth was significantly inhibited in the high miR-181a-5p expression group.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that miR-181a-5p can be used as a potential biomarker and provide a novel animal model for mechanistic research on oral cancer.

Ubiquitin D promotes the progression of rheumatoid arthritis via activation of the p38 MAPK pathway

Ubiquitin D (UBD), a member of the ubiquitin‑like modifier family, has been reported to be highly expressed in various types of cancer and its overexpression is positively associated with tumor progression. However, the role and mechanism of UBD in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain elusive. In the present study, the gene expression profiles of GSE55457 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to assess differentially expressed genes and perform functional enrichment analyses. UBD was overexpressed by lentivirus transfection. The protein level of UBD, p‑p38 and p38 in RA‑fibroblast‑like synoviocytes (FLSs) were examined by western blotting. Cell Counting Kit‑8 and flow cytometry assays were used to detect the functional changes of RA‑FLSs transfected with UBD and MAPK inhibitor SB202190. The concentrations of inflammatory factors (IL‑2, IL‑6, IL‑10 and TNF‑α) were evaluated using ELISA kits. The results revealed that UBD was overexpressed in RA tissues compared with in the healthy control tissues. Functionally, UBD significantly accelerated the viability and proliferation of RA‑FLSs, whereas it inhibited their apoptosis. Furthermore, UBD significantly promoted the secretion of inflammatory factors (IL‑2, IL‑6, IL‑10 and TNF‑α). Mechanistically, elevated UBD activated phospohorylated‑p38 in RA‑FLSs. By contrast, UBD overexpression and treatment with the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190 not only partially relieved the UBD‑dependent effects on cell viability and proliferation, but also reversed its inhibitory effects on cell apoptosis. Furthermore, SB202190 partially inhibited the effects of UBD overexpression on the enhanced secretion of inflammatory factors. The present study indicated that UBD may mediate the activation of p38 MAPK, thereby facilitating the proliferation of RA‑FLSs and ultimately promoting the progression of RA. Therefore, UBD may be considered a potential therapeutic target and a promising prognostic biomarker for RA.

Upregulated Ubiquitin D is a Favorable Prognostic Indicator for Rectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Preoperative Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

Purpose

For locally advanced rectal cancer, neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) allows tumor downstaging and makes curative radical proctectomy possible. However, we lack a genetic biomarker to predict cancer prognosis or treatment response. We investigated the association between ubiquitin D (UBD) expression and clinical outcomes in rectal cancer patients receiving CCRT.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed the genes associated with the protein modification process (GO:0036211) and identified the UBD gene as the most relevant among the top 7 differentially expressed genes associated with CCRT resistance. We collected tissue specimens from 172 rectal cancer patients who had received CCRT followed by a curative proctectomy. We examine the relationship between UBD expression and patient characteristics, pathological findings, and patient survival, such as metastasis-free survival (MeFS) and disease-specific survival.

Results

Upregulated UBD expression was associated with lower pre-CCRT tumor T stage (P = 0.009), lower post-CCRT tumor T stage (P < 0.001), lower post-CCRT nodal stage (P < 0.001), less vascular invasion (P = 0.015), and better tumor regression (P < 0.001). Using univariate analysis, we found that high UBD expression was correlated with better disease-free survival (DFS) (P < 0.0001), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) (P < 0.0001) and MeFS (P < 0.0001). Moreover, multivariate analysis demonstrated that high UBD expression was associated with superior DFS (P < 0.001), LRFS (P = 0.01), and MeFS (P = 0.004).

Conclusion

UBD upregulation was linked to better clinical prognosis, favorable pathological features, and good treatment response in rectal cancer patients undergoing CCRT. These results suggest UBD is a biomarker for rectal cancer.

Modification of ERα by UFM1 Increases Its Stability and Transactivity for Breast Cancer Development

The post-translational modification (e.g., phosphorylation) of estrogen receptor α (ERα) plays a role in controlling the expression and subcellular localization of ERα as well as its sensitivity to hormone response. Here, we show that ERα is also modified by UFM1 and this modification (ufmylation) plays a crucial role in promoting the stability and transactivity of ERα, which in turn promotes breast cancer development. The elevation of ufmylation via the knockdown of UFSP2 (the UFM1-deconjugating enzyme in humans) dramatically increases ERα stability by inhibiting ubiquitination. In contrast, ERα stability is decreased by the prevention of ufmylation via the silencing of UBA5 (the UFM1-activating E1 enzyme). Lys171 and Lys180 of ERα were identified as the major UFM1 acceptor sites, and the replacement of both Lys residues by Arg (2KR mutation) markedly reduced ERα stability. Moreover, the 2KR mutation abrogated the 17β-estradiol-induced transactivity of ERα and the expression of its downstream target genes, including pS2, cyclin D1, and c-Myc; this indicates that ERα ufmylation is required for its transactivation function. In addition, the 2KR mutation prevented anchorage-independent colony formation by MCF7 cells. Most notably, the expression of UFM1 and its conjugating machinery (i.e., UBA5, UFC1, UFL1, and UFBP1) were dramatically upregulated in ERα-positive breast cancer cell lines and tissues. Collectively, these findings implicate a critical role attributed to ERα ufmylation in breast cancer development by ameliorating its stability and transactivity.

Impact of Ubiquitination Signaling Pathway Modifications on Oral Carcinoma

Among intra-cellular homeostasis mechanisms, ubiquitination plays a critical role in protein metabolism regulation by degrading proteins via activating a broad spectrum of ubiquitin chains. In fact, ubiquitination and sumoylation signaling pathways are characterized by increased complexity regarding the molecules and their interactions. The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (Ub-PS) recognizes and targets a broad spectrum of protein substrates. Ubiquitin conjugation modifies each substrate protein determining its biochemical fate (degradation). A major functional activity of Ub-PS is autophagy mechanism regulation. Interestingly, Ub-PS promotes all stages of bulk autophagy (initiation, execution, and termination). Autophagy is a crucial catabolic process that provides protein degradation and for this reason the interaction with Ub-PS is crucial. Furthermore, ubiquitination controls and regulates specific types of protein targets. Ub-PS is also involved in oxidative cellular stress and DNA damage response. Additionally, the functional role of Ub-PS in ribosome machinery regulation seems to be crucial. Concerning carcinogenesis, Ub-PS is involved in malignant disease development and progression by negatively affecting the corresponding TGF-B-, MEEK/MAPK/ERK-JNK- dependent signaling pathways. In the current review article, we describe the role of Ub-PS biochemical modifications and alterations in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).