AKR1B10 inhibits the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer via regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition

The Role of AKR1B10 in Lung Cancer Malignancy Induced by Sublethal Doses of Chemotherapeutic Drugs

Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone in lung cancer treatment, yet emerging evidence suggests that sublethal low doses may inadvertently enhance the malignancy. This study investigates the paradoxical effects of sublethal low-dose chemotherapy on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, emphasizing the role of Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10). We found that sublethal doses of chemotherapy unexpectedly increased cancer cell migration approximately 2-fold and invasion approximately threefold, potentially promoting metastasis. Our analysis revealed a significant upregulation of AKR1B10 in response to taxol and doxorubicin treatment, correlating with poor survival rates in lung cancer patients. Furthermore, silencing AKR1B10 resulted in a 1-2-fold reduction in cell proliferation and a 2-3-fold reduction in colony formation and migration while increasing chemotherapy sensitivity. In contrast, the overexpression of AKR1B10 stimulated growth rate by approximately 2-fold via ERK pathway activation, underscoring its potential as a target for therapeutic intervention. The reversal of these effects upon the application of an ERK-specific inhibitor further validates the significance of the ERK pathway in AKR1B10-mediated chemoresistance. In conclusion, our findings significantly contribute to the understanding of chemotherapy-induced adaptations in lung cancer cells. The elevated AKR1B10 expression following sublethal chemotherapy presents a novel molecular mechanism contributing to the development of chemoresistance. It highlights the need for strategic approaches in chemotherapy administration to circumvent the inadvertent enhancement of cancer aggressiveness. This study positions AKR1B10 as a potential therapeutic target, offering a new avenue to improve lung cancer treatment outcomes by mitigating the adverse effects of sublethal chemotherapy.

[PCID2 is highly expressed in gastric cancer and affects the prognosis by regulating cancer cell cycle and proliferation]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of PCI Domain Containing 2 (PCID2) in gastric cancer, its effect on gastric cancer cell cycle and proliferation and the possible molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

We examined PCID2 expression levels in gastric cancer and adjacent tissues from 100 patients undergoing radical gastrectomy in our hospital between January, 2012 and December, 2016, and analyzed the correlation of PCID2 expression level with cancer progression and postoperative 5-year survival rate of the patients. GO enrichment analysis was performed to identify the possible pathways that mediated the effect of PCID2 in gastric cancer progression. The effects of lentivirus-mediated PCID2 knockdown and overexpression on cell proliferation and cell cycle were analyzed in gastric cancer MGC-803 cells and in nude mice.

RESULTS

PCID2 was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and positively correlated with peripheral blood levels of CA19-9 and CEA (P < 0.01). In gastric cancer patients, a high PCID2 expression was associated with a significantly lowered postoperative 5-year survival rate (P < 0.001) as an independent risk factor for postoperative survival (HR: 2.987, 95% CI: 1.616-5.519). The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of PCID2 for predicting postoperative 5-year survival were 76.74%, 75.44%, and 0.755 (P < 0.001), respectively. GO enrichment analysis suggested that PCID2 was associated with gastric cancer cell cycle progression. PCID2 overexpression in MGC-803 cells significantly promoted cell proliferation, G1/S phase transition, expressions of cyclin D1 and CDK6, and the growth of transplanted xenograft in nude mice (P < 0.05). The expressions of p27 and p16 were significantly lowered in gastric cancer tissues, and their expression levels were negatively regulated by PCID2 expression in MGC-803 cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

PCID2 is highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues in close correlation with poor prognosis of the patients. High PCID2 expression promotes gastric cancer proliferation and cell cycle progression by inhibiting the expression of p27 and p16.

AKR1B10 inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent and aggressive malignant neoplasms, and is associated with a poor prognosis. Therefore, there is a crucial need to develop novel cancer therapies and identify novel therapeutic targets. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is expressed in various types of cancer. However, the role of AKR1B10 in the pathological process of HCC and its underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. AKR1B10 expression was evaluated pan-cancer and in HCC using the Genomic Data Commons-The Cancer Genome Atlas (GDC-TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) databases. The relationship between elevated AKR1B10 expression and overall survival in HCC patients was analyzed using a Kaplan-Meier plot. The effects of AKR1B10 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells were evaluated. The proliferation of HCC was measured using CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Transwell and wound healing assays were used to assess the migration and invasion of HCC cells. Western blots were used to detect the expression of proliferative and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related proteins in HCC cells, including CCND1, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, Twist1, PI3K/p-PI3K, and AKT/p-AKT. AKR1B10 expression was significantly upregulated pan-cancer and in liver cancer. Upregulated AKR1B10 expression was associated with a worse overall survival. HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were found to be influenced by AKR1B10 activity, as demonstrated using DepMap analysis. AKR1B10 knockdown in Huh7 cells reduced proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT. Mechanistically, AKR1B10 increased the expression of proliferative and EMT-related proteins CCND1, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, and Twist1. PI3K and AKT phosphorylation levels decreased following AKR1B10 knockdown. In conclusion, AKR1B10 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, a potential prognostic indicator.

Aldo-keto Reductase 1B10 Restrains Cell Migration, Invasion, and Adhesion of Gastric Cancer via Regulating Integrin Subunit Alpha 5

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Gastric cancer is a prevalent malignancy with unfavorable prognosis partially resulting from its high metastasis rate. Clarifying the molecular mechanism of gastric cancer occurrence and progression for improvement of therapeutic efficacy and prognosis is needed. The study tended to delineate the role and regulatory mechanism of aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) in gastric cancer progression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The relationship of AKR1B10 expression with survival rate in gastric cancer was analyzed through Kaplan-Meier analysis. The mRNA levels of AKR1B10 and integrin subunit alpha 5 (ITGA5) in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Protein levels of AKR1B10 and integrin subunit alpha 5 were assayed via western blot. The molecular relationship between AKR1B10 and ITGA5 was analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation assay. Cell viability was assayed through Cell Counting Kit-8, invasion and migration of tumor cells was assessed through wound healing and transwell assays. Transwell assay was utilized to detect invasion. The adhesion of gastric cancer cells was detected using cell adhesion assays.

RESULTS

The results unveiled that integrin subunit alpha 5 was upregulated, while AKR1B10 was downregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cells. Overexpressing AKR1B10 hindered gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and adhesion. It was striking that we certified the inhibitory effect of AKR1B10 on integrin subunit alpha 5 expression and their (AKR1B10 and ITGA5)) negative relationship via bioinformatics method, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Via rescue experiments, it was concluded that AKR1B10 served as tumor suppressor potentially by ITGA5 expression in gastric cancer.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that AKR1B10 inhibited migration, invasion, and adhesion of gastric cancer cells via modulation of ITGA5.

AKR1B10 regulates M2 macrophage polarization to promote the malignant phenotype of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy has brought new hope to gastric cancer (GC) patients. Exploring the immune infiltration pattern in GC and the key molecules is critical for optimizing the efficacy of immunotherapy. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is an inflammatory regulator and is closely related to the prognosis of patients with GC. However, the function of AKR1B10 in GC remains unclear.

METHODS

In the present study, the CIBERSORT algorithm was used to analyze the immune infiltration pattern in 373 samples in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were seared by combing the TCGA database and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the key molecule AKR1B10 was identified by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). The biological functions of AKR1B10 in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) were investigated in vitro.

RESULTS

Macrophage polarization was the main immune infiltration pattern in GC, and the state of macrophage polarization was closely related to the pathological grading of GC and the clinical stage of patients. AKR1B10, MUC5AC, TFF2, GKN1, and PGC were significantly down-regulated in GC tissues. Low AKR1B10 expression induced M2 macrophage polarization and promoted the malignant phenotype of GC.

CONCLUSION

M2 macrophage polarization is the main immune infiltration pattern in GC. Low AKR1B10 expression induces M2 macrophage polarization and promotes the malignant transformation of GC.

Warburg effect enhanced by AKR1B10 promotes acquired resistance to pemetrexed in lung cancer-derived brain metastasis

BACKGROUND

Resistance to pemetrexed (PEM), a rare chemotherapeutic agent that can efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier, limits the therapeutic efficacy for patients with lung cancer brain metastasis (BM). Aldo-keto reductase family 1 B10 (AKR1B10) was recently found to be elevated in lung cancer BM. The link between AKR1B10 and BM-acquired PEM is unknown.

METHODS

PEM drug-sensitivity was assessed in the preclinical BM model of PC9 lung adenocarcinoma cells and the BM cells with or without AKR1B10 interference in vitro and in vivo. Metabolic reprogramming of BM attributed to AKR1B10 was identified by chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomics, and the mechanism of how AKR1B10 mediates PEM chemoresistance via a way of modified metabolism was revealed by RNA sequencing as well as further molecular biology experimental approaches.

RESULTS

The lung cancer brain metastatic subpopulation cells (PC9-BrM3) exhibited significant resistance to PEM and silencing AKR1B10 in PC9-BrM3 increased the PEM sensitivity in vitro and in vivo. Metabolic profiling revealed that AKR1B10 prominently facilitated the Warburg metabolism characterized by the overproduction of lactate. Glycolysis regulated by AKR1B10 is vital for the resistance to PEM. In mechanism, AKR1B10 promoted glycolysis by regulating the expression of lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA) and the increased lactate, acts as a precursor that stimulates histone lactylation (H4K12la), activated the transcription of CCNB1 and accelerated the DNA replication and cell cycle.

CONCLUSIONS

Our finding demonstrates that AKR1B10/glycolysis/H4K12la/CCNB1 promotes acquired PEM chemoresistance in lung cancer BM, providing novel strategies to sensitize PEM response in the treatment of lung cancer patients suffering from BM.

Metabolic classifications of renal cell carcinoma reveal intrinsic connections with clinical and immune characteristics

BACKGROUND

Kidney cancer undergoes a dramatic metabolic shift and has demonstrated responsiveness to immunotherapeutic intervention. However, metabolic classification and the associations between metabolic alterations and immune infiltration in Renal cell carcinoma still remain elucidative.

METHODS

Unsupervised consensus clustering was conducted on the TCGA cohorts for metabolic classification. GESA, mRNAsi, prognosis, clinical features, mutation load, immune infiltration and differentially expressed gene differences among different clusters were compared. The prognosis model and nomograms were constructed based on metabolic gene signatures and verified using external ICGC datasets. Immunohistochemical results from Human Protein Atlas database and Tongji hospital were used to validate gene expression levels in normal tissues and tumor samples. CCK8, apoptosis analysis, qPCR, subcutaneously implanted murine models and flowcytometry analysis were applied to investigate the roles of ACAA2 in tumor progression and anti-tumor immunity.

RESULTS

Renal cell carcinoma was classified into 3 metabolic subclusters and the subcluster with low metabolic profiles displayed the poorest prognosis, highest invasiveness and AJCC grade, enhanced immune infiltration but suppressive immunophenotypes. ACAA2, ACAT1, ASRGL1, AKR1B10, ABCC2, ANGPTL4 were identified to construct the 6 gene-signature prognosis model and verified both internally and externally with ICGC cohorts. ACAA2 was demonstrated as a tumor suppressor and was associated with higher immune infiltration and elevated PD-1 expression of CD8⁺ T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research proposed a new metabolic classification method for RCC and revealed intrinsic associations between metabolic phenotypes and immune profiles. The identified gene signatures might serve as key factors bridging tumor metabolism and tumor immunity and warrant further in-depth investigations.

Expression of AKRs superfamily and prognostic in human gastric cancer

The human aldo-keto reductase (AKRs) superfamily is involved in the development of various tumors. However, the different expression patterns of AKRs and their prognostic value in gastric cancer (GC) have not been clarified. In this study, we analyzed the gene expression and gene methylation level of AKRs in GC patients and the survival data and immune infiltration based on AKRs expression, using data from different databases. We found that the expression levels of AKR1B10, AKR1C1, AKR1C2, and AKR7A3 in GC tissues were lower and the expression level of AKR6A5 was higher in GC tissues than in normal tissue. These differentially expressed genes (AKR1B10, AKR1C1, AKR1C2, AKR7A3, and AKR6A5) were significantly correlated with the infiltration level. The expression of SPI1 and AKR6A5 in GC was positively correlated. Survival analysis showed that GC levels of AKR6A5 reduced or increased mRNA levels of AKR7A3, and AKR1B10 was expected to have higher overall survival (OS), first progression (FP) survival, and postprogression survival (PPS) rates and a better prognosis. Moreover, the expression of AKR1B1 was found to be correlated with the staging of GC. The methylation of AKR6A5 (KCNAB2) at cg05307871 and cg01907457 was significantly associated with the classification of GC. Meta-analysis and ROC curve analysis show that the expression level of AKR1B1 and the methylation of cg16156182 (KCNAB1), cg11194299 (KCNAB2), cg16132520 (AKR1B1), and cg13801416 (AKR1B1) had a high hazard ratio and a good prognostic value. These data suggest that the expression and methylation of AKR1B1 and AKR6A5 are significantly related to the prognosis.

FNDC5 and AKR1B10 inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of adrenocortical carcinoma cells by regulating AMPK/mTOR pathway

Being a rare malignancy, adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) exhibits aggressiveness and poor prognosis. Fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5) is a transmembrane protein involved in multiple types of cancer. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) has a suppressive role in ACC. The present study aimed to investigate the role of FNDC5 in ACC cells as well as its mechanisms related to AKR1B10. The Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database predicted FNDC5 expression in tumour tissue of patients suffering from ACC and the overall survival rate. Western blotting as well as reverse transcription-quantitative PCR were used for the examination of the transfection efficiency of FNDC5-overexpression vector (Oe-FNDC5) and small interfering (si)RNA against AKR1B10. Cell Counting Kit-8 was employed for the assessment of cell viability. The proliferation, migration and invasion of the transfected cells were assessed by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine staining, wound healing and Transwell assays. Additionally, cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity was determined by ELISA. The levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition- and 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mTOR signalling pathway-associated proteins were assessed by western blotting. The interaction between FNDC5 and AKR1B10 was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. FNDC5 levels in ACC tissue were reduced compared with normal tissue. After overexpressing FNDC5, proliferation, migration and invasion of NCI-H295R cells were suppressed, while cell apoptosis was promoted. FNDC5 interacted with AKR1B10 and AKR1B10 knockdown promoted proliferation, migration and invasion while inhibiting the apoptosis of NCI-H295R cells transfected with si-AKR1B10. The AMPK/mTOR signalling pathway was activated by FNDC5 overexpression, which was subsequently suppressed by AKR1B10 knockdown. Collectively, FNDC5 overexpression inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion while promoting apoptosis of NCI-H295R cells via triggering the AMPK/mTOR signalling pathway. These effects were counteracted by AKR1B10 knockdown.

Overexpression of AKR1B10 Predicts Poor Prognosis in Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgical Resection

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is associated with several cancers, but the prognostic role in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. We enrolled 359 GC patients who underwent a gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. AKR1B10 expression was scored using an immunoreactive scoring system based on immunohistochemistry. Adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 or oxaliplatin plus capecitabine was administered to pathological stage II or III disease patients. There were 117 (32.6%) and 242 (67.4%) patients with AKR1B10 overexpression and low expression, respectively. Patients overexpressing AKR1B10 had worse 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates than those with low expression of AKR1B10. Pathological T3-T4 stage, pathological stage III, lymph node ratio ≥25%, and AKR1B10 overexpression were independent prognostic factors for worse DFS and OS in univariate and multivariate analyses. For 162 stage II or III patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical resection and 59 patients with signet ring cell carcinoma histology, AKR1B10 overexpression was also associated with inferior DFS and OS. AKR1B10 was not associated with clinical survival in stage I GC patients. In conclusion, AKR1B10 overexpression may be an independent prognostic factor for worse survival in GC patients who underwent gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection.

In-silico Investigations of quinine and quinidine as potential Inhibitors of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10: Functional and structural characterization

The aberrant expression of aldo keto reductases (AKR1B1 & AKR1B10) has been extensively studied in different types of cancer especially the colon cancer but a very few studies have yet been reported regarding the discovery of inhibitors for the treatment of colon cancer by targeting these isozymes. Therefore, there is a need of selective inhibitors of both targets for the eradication of colon cancer. Currently, the study is focused on the exploration of two quinolone compounds i.e., (S)-(6-Methoxyquinolin-4-yl)[(1S,2R,4S,5R)-5-vinylquinuclidin-2-yl]methanol (Quinidine) and (R)-(6-Methoxyquinolin-4-yl)[(1S,2S,4S,5R)-5-vinylquinuclidin-2-yl]methanol (Quinine) as the potential inhibitors of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 via detailed in-silico approach. The structural properties including vibrational frequencies, dipole moment, polarizability and the optimization energies were estimated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations; where both compounds were found chemically reactive. After that, the optimized structures were used for the molecular docking studies and here quinidine was found more selective towards AKR1B1 and quinine exhibited maximum inhibition of AKR1B10. The results of molecular docking studies were validated by molecular dynamics simulations which provided the deep insight of stability of protein ligand complex. At the end, the ADMET properties were determined to demonstrate the druglikeness properties of both selected compounds. These findings suggested further exploration of both compounds at molecular level using different in-vivo and in-vitro approaches that will lead to the designing of potential inhibitor of AKR1B1/AKR1B10 for curing colon cancer and related malignancies.

Ferroptotic MSCs protect mice against sepsis via promoting macrophage efferocytosis

The therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on sepsis has been well-known. However, a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between MSCs and macrophages remains elusive. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) is one of the most commonly used tracers for MSCs. Our previous study has shown that SPIO enhanced the therapeutic effect of MSCs in a macrophage-dependent manner. However, the fate of SPIO-labeled MSCs (MSC^SPIO) after infusion remains unknown and the direct interaction between MSC^SPIO and macrophages remains unclear. Mice were injected intravenously with MSC^SPIO at 2 h after Escherichia coli infection and sacrificed at different times to investigate their distribution and therapeutic effect. We found that MSC^SPIO homed to lungs rapidly after infusion and then trapped in livers for more than 10 days. Only a few MSC^SPIO homed to the spleen and there was no MSC^SPIO detectable in the brain, heart, kidney, colon, and uterus. MSC^SPIO tended to stay longer in injured organs compared with healthy organs and played a long-term protective role in sepsis. The mRNA expression profiles between MSCs and MSC^SPIO were rather different, genes related to lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress were changed. The levels of ROS and lipid peroxide were elevated in MSC^SPIO, which confirmed that SPIO-induced ferroptosis in MSC^SPIO. Ferroptosis of MSC^SPIO induced by SPIO enhanced the efferocytosis of macrophages and thus enhanced the protective effect on septic mice, while the benefits were impaired after MSC^SPIO were treated with Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) or Liproxtatin-1 (Lip-1), the inhibitors of ferroptosis. SPIO-induced ferroptosis in MSCs contributes to better therapeutic effects in sepsis by enhancing the efferocytosis of macrophages. Our data showed the efficacy and advantage of MSC^SPIO as a therapeutic tool and the cell states exert different curative effects on sepsis.

LncRNA 1700020I14Rik promotes AKR1B10 expression and activates Erk pathway to induce hepatocyte damage in alcoholic hepatitis

Alcoholic hepatitis (AH), a kind of alcoholic liver disease, shows poor prognosis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert critical role in liver diseases. Here, we intended to investigate the possible molecular mechanism that 1700020I14Rik-based regulation of microRNA (miR)-137/Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) affecting the inflammatory response and hepatocyte damage in AH. AH-related genes and the down-stream regulatory pathway were screnned by bioinformatics. Mouse normal hepatocyte cell line AML12 was selected to construct an ethanol-induced hepatocyte injury model for in vitro mechanistic validation, while we also established an AH mouse model using the ethanol with gradually increased concentration of 2–4% (v/v) for in vivo study. Specific role of 1700020I14Rik/miR-137/AKR1B10 in AML12 cell viability, proliferation and apoptotic capacity as well as inflammation and liver damage in mice were analyzed following ectopic and depletion approaches. We found elevated AKR1B10 and 1700020I14Rik but reduced miR-137 in AH. 1700020I14Rik was able to elevated miR-137-mediated AKR1B10. In vitro cell experiments and in vivo animal experiments validated that 1700020I14Rik reduced ethanol-induced hepatocyte damage and inflammation in AH mice through regulation of miR-137–mediated AKR1B10/Erk axis. The current study underlied that 1700020I14Rik could activate AKR1B10/Erk signaling through inhibition of miR-137, thereby promoting the hepatocyte damage in AH mice.