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Al-Nakhle H, El-Tokhy A, Eltahir H, Almuayrifi M, Abouzied M, Abdelaal K, Albadrani M. Assessing the toxicity of pesticides exposure on hepatic miRNA-target gene alterations in rat liver tissues via molecular and integrated network bioinformatics analysis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 274:116211. [PMID: 38479317 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
The prevalent use of pesticides, including pirimiphos-methyl (PPM) and bifenthrin (BF), poses a serious health risk, particularly to workers who encounter these chemicals daily. Despite the recognized hepatotoxic effects, the specific molecular mechanisms, especially those involving miRNAs in liver damage caused by PPM and BF, are not fully elucidated. Prior studies have not exhaustively analyzed the hepatic miRNA-target gene dynamics following exposure to these pesticides; thus, this research aims to fill that gap through an extensive miRNA analysis to discern their regulation in PPM or BF-induced hepatic toxicity. In this study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to BF or PPM for 28 days through oral gavage, simulating the chronic exposure faced by humans. We conducted a thorough assessment of the hepatotoxicity induced by PPM and BF, employing multiple evaluation levels, including histological analysis, liver enzyme measurements, and real-time PCR to detect changes in hepatic miRNA-target gene expressions. Additionally, we utilized DIANA-miRPath prediction tools to delineate the functional implications of these hepatic miRNA target genes. Our findings reveal a significant modulation in the expression of rno-miR-155-5p and rno-miR-122-5p, along with their target genes, following PPM and BF treatment. In contrast, rno-miR-21-5p levels remained unaltered. These observations suggest potential utility of these specific hepatic miRNAs as biomarkers for liver injury resulting from pesticide exposure. Subsequent GO enrichment analysis linked target genes to functions like molecular activity, protein binding, and cellular processes. Additionally, KEGG pathway analysis showed these genes, influenced by varied miRNA expressions, play significant roles in metabolic and signaling pathways In conclusion, this study enhances our comprehension of the biological roles of miRNAs in hepatic toxicity induced by PPM and BF. The insights gained here not only shed light on molecular mechanisms but also open avenues for considering these miRNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers in conditions of pesticide-induced hepatotoxicity, thereby guiding future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hakeemah Al-Nakhle
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawaroh 42353, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ahmed El-Tokhy
- Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, New Valley University, El-Kharga, Egypt.
| | - Heba Eltahir
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, division of biochemistry, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawara, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Almuayrifi
- Al Madinah Regional Municipality, Environmental public health department, Al-Madinah Al-Munawara, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mekky Abouzied
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, division of biochemistry, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawara, Saudi Arabia; Department of biochemistry, faculty of pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Khaled Abdelaal
- Excellence Center (EPCRS), Plant Pathology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr Elsheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Muayad Albadrani
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawara, Saudi Arabia.
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2
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Li T, Jiang Y, Bai Y, Jiang K, Du G, Chen P, Luo C, Li L, Qiao J, Shen J. A review for the impacts of circadian disturbance on urological cancers. Sleep Biol Rhythms 2024; 22:163-180. [PMID: 38524168 PMCID: PMC10959858 DOI: 10.1007/s41105-023-00500-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Circadian rhythm is an internal timing system and harmonizes a variety of cellular, behavioral, and physiological processes to daily environment. Circadian disturbance caused by altered life style or disrupted sleep patterns inevitably contributes to various disorders. As the rapidly increased cancer occurrences and subsequent tremendous financial burdens, more researches focus on reducing the morbidity rather than treating it. Recently, many epidemiologic studies demonstrated that circadian disturbance was tightly related to the occurrence and development of cancers. For urinary system, numerous clinical researches observed the incidence and progress of prostate cancer were influenced by nightshift work, sleep duration, chronotypes, light exposure, and meal timing, this was also proved by many genetic and fundamental findings. Although the epidemiological studies regarding the relationship between circadian disturbance and kidney/bladder cancers were relative limited, some basic researches still claimed circadian disruption was closely correlated to these two cancers. The role of circadian chemotherapy on cancers of prostate, kidney, and bladder were also explored, however, it has not been regularly recommended considering the limited evidence and poor standard protocols. Finally, the researches for the impacts of circadian disturbance on cancers of adrenal gland, penis, testis were not found at present. In general, a better understanding the relationship between circadian disturbance and urological cancers might help to provide more scientific work schedules and rational lifestyles which finally saving health resource by reducing urological tumorigenesis, however, the underlying mechanisms are complex which need further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Li
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Yiting Jiang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Ninth People’s Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Yunjin Bai
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kehua Jiang
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Guangshi Du
- Translational Medicine Research Center of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Chao Luo
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Lei Li
- Gastrointestinal Surgery Center, School of Medicine, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun Qiao
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jun Shen
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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3
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Daiber A, Frenis K, Kuntic M, Li H, Wolf E, Kilgallen AB, Lecour S, Van Laake LW, Schulz R, Hahad O, Münzel T. Redox Regulatory Changes of Circadian Rhythm by the Environmental Risk Factors Traffic Noise and Air Pollution. Antioxid Redox Signal 2022; 37:679-703. [PMID: 35088601 PMCID: PMC9618394 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2021.0272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Risk factors in the environment such as air pollution and traffic noise contribute to the development of chronic noncommunicable diseases. Recent Advances: Epidemiological data suggest that air pollution and traffic noise are associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental disease, including hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction, diabetes, arrhythmia, stroke, neurodegeneration, depression, and anxiety disorders, mainly by activation of stress hormone signaling, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Critical Issues: We here provide an in-depth review on the impact of the environmental risk factors air pollution and traffic noise exposure (components of the external exposome) on cardiovascular health, with special emphasis on the role of environmentally triggered oxidative stress and dysregulation of the circadian clock. Also, a general introduction on the contribution of circadian rhythms to cardiovascular health and disease as well as a detailed mechanistic discussion of redox regulatory pathways of the circadian clock system is provided. Future Directions: Finally, we discuss the potential of preventive strategies or "chrono" therapy for cardioprotection. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 679-703.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Daiber
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology 1, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany
| | - Katie Frenis
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology 1, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Marin Kuntic
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology 1, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Huige Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Eva Wolf
- Structural Chronobiology, Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
| | - Aoife B. Kilgallen
- Division Heart and Lungs, Regenerative Medicine Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sandrine Lecour
- Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Linda W. Van Laake
- Division Heart and Lungs, Regenerative Medicine Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rainer Schulz
- Institute for Physiology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Omar Hahad
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology 1, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Münzel
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology 1, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany
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Chronic Pesticide Exposure in Farm Workers Is Associated with the Epigenetic Modulation of hsa-miR-199a-5p. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127018. [PMID: 35742265 PMCID: PMC9222590 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The increasing use of pesticides in intensive agriculture has had a negative impact on human health. It was widely demonstrated how pesticides can induce different genetic and epigenetic alterations associated with the development of different diseases, including tumors and neurological disorders. Therefore, the identification of effective indicators for the prediction of harmful pesticide exposure is mandatory. In this context, the aim of the study was to evaluate the modification of hsa-miR-199a-5p expression levels in liquid biopsy samples obtained from healthy donors and farm workers with chronic exposure to pesticides. For this purpose, the high-sensitive droplet digital PCR assay (ddPCR) was used to detect variation in the expression levels of the selected microRNA (miRNA). The ddPCR analyses revealed a significant down-regulation of hsa-miR-199a-5p observed in individuals exposed to pesticides compared to control samples highlighting the good predictive value of this miRNA as demonstrated by statistical analyses. Overall, the obtained results encourage the analysis of miRNAs as predictive biomarkers of chronic pesticide exposure thus improving the current strategies for the monitoring of harmful pesticide exposure.
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Liang M, Zhu B, Wang M, Jin J. Knockdown of long non‑coding RNA DDX11‑AS1 inhibits the proliferation, migration and paclitaxel resistance of breast cancer cells by upregulating microRNA‑497 expression. Mol Med Rep 2022; 25:123. [PMID: 35169864 PMCID: PMC8864609 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is a major problem to overcome in the treatment of cancer; therefore, identifying therapeutic targets for drug resistance is a point of focus in the field of cancer research. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRs) not only affect gene expression regulation during cell proliferation, but also have several potential roles in the drug resistance of malignant tumors. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression levels of DDX11 antisense RNA 1 (DDX11-AS1) and miR-497 in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Cell transfection techniques were used to interfere with the expression levels of DDX11-AS1 and miR-497. Cell Counting Kit-8 and MTT assays were used to detect cell viability. A colony formation assay was used to detect cell proliferation. Wound-healing and Transwell assays were performed to measure the levels of cell migration and invasion. Western blotting was used to analyze the expression levels of migration-associated proteins, and immunofluorescence and western blotting were used to determine the expression levels of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins E-cadherin and N-cadherin, respectively. A luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the targeted binding of DDX11-AS1 and miR-497. The present study demonstrated that the expression levels of lncRNA DDX11-AS1 were markedly increased in paclitaxel (PTX)-resistant breast cancer cell lines. By contrast, knockdown of DDX11-AS1 expression inhibited PTX resistance of breast cancer cells, and suppressed the proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer cells, which was achieved via upregulation of miR-497 expression. In conclusion, knockdown of lncRNA DDX11-AS1 could inhibit the proliferation, migration and PTX resistance of breast cancer cells by upregulating miR-497 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Liang
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310005, P.R. China
| | - Beibei Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510632, P.R. China
| | - Min Wang
- Emergency Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310005, P.R. China
| | - Ju Jin
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, P.R. China
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6
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Filetti V, Loreto C, Falzone L, Lombardo C, Cannizzaro E, Castorina S, Ledda C, Rapisarda V. Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Three microRNAs in Environmental Asbestiform Fibers-Associated Malignant Mesothelioma. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11111205. [PMID: 34834557 PMCID: PMC8618926 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11111205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluoro-edenite (FE) is an asbestiform fiber identified in Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy). Environmental exposure to FE has been associated with a higher incidence of malignant mesothelioma (MM). The present study aimed to validate the predicted diagnostic significance of hsa-miR-323a-3p, hsa-miR-101-3p, and hsa-miR-20b-5p on a subset of MM patients exposed to FE and matched with healthy controls. For this purpose, MM tissues vs. nonmalignant pleura tissues were analyzed through droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to evaluate differences in the expression levels of the selected miRNAs and their MM diagnostic potential. In addition, further computational analysis has been performed to establish the correlation of these miRNAs with the available online asbestos exposure data and clinic-pathological parameters to verify the potential role of these miRNAs as prognostic tools. ddPCR results showed that the three analyzed miRNAs were significantly down-regulated in MM cases vs. controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed high specificity and sensitivity rates for both hsa-miR-323a-3p and hsa-miR-20b-5p, which thus acquire a diagnostic value for MM. In silico results showed a potential prognostic role of hsa-miR-101-3p due to a significant association of its higher expression and increased overall survival (OS) of MM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Filetti
- Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnology Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (V.F.); (C.L.)
| | - Carla Loreto
- Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnology Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (V.F.); (C.L.)
| | - Luca Falzone
- Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Claudia Lombardo
- Human Anatomy, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.L.); (S.C.)
| | - Emanuele Cannizzaro
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Sergio Castorina
- Human Anatomy, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.L.); (S.C.)
| | - Caterina Ledda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Venerando Rapisarda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy;
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7
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Chang YH, Lin PH, Chen CC, Weng WH, Yu KJ, Liu CY, Hsieh CH, Chang TH, Shao IH, Kan HC, Chuang CK, Pang ST. Gain of TPPP as a predictor of progression in patients with bladder cancer. Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:1204. [PMID: 34584549 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the role of tubulin polymerization promoting protein (TPPP) in the regulation of bladder cancer (BC) cell proliferation and migration, in addition to the association between TPPP gene copy number amplification and clinicopathological characteristics of BC. TPPP gene amplification was measured in human BC epithelial cells and samples obtained from 52 patients with BC via fluorescence in situ hybridization. TPPP gain was defined as mean TPPP copy number >2.2 per nucleus (cutoff). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was also obtained from the preoperative data of the patients. For in vitro assays, BC cell lines were transfected with either TPPP small interfering RNAs or scrambled control, following which cell proliferation and migration were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8 and Transwell migration assays, respectively. The percentage of cells with TPPP copy number amplification in the four BC epithelial cell lines (MGH-U1, -U1R, -U3, -U4) examined (86.0-100.0%) was found to be higher compared with that in the normal human uroepithelial cell lines (3.0 and 9.0%). Patients were divided into one- (1.9%), two- (55.8%), three- (7.7%), four- (26.9%) and five-copy (7.7%) types. Results calculated using Fisher's exact test indicated that the gain of TPPP in patients with BC associated significantly with age (P<0.05), advanced histological grade (P<0.001), tumor stage (P<0.05), histological type (P<0.001) and NLR (P<0.05). In MGH-U1R and MGH-U4 cells, cell proliferation and migration were revealed to be significantly lower following TPPP knockdown compared with those in cells transfected with the scrambled control. In conclusion, findings from the present study suggest that TPPP is important for cell proliferation, cell migration and BC progression, such that TPPP copy number assessment would be advised for preoperative urine cytology for urothelial neoplasia diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hsu Chang
- Department of Urology, New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 236017, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Po-Hung Lin
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chin-Chang Chen
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wen-Hui Weng
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and Graduate Institute of Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 10608, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Kai-Jie Yu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and Graduate Institute of Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 10608, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chung-Yi Liu
- Department of Urology, New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 236017, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chin-Hsuan Hsieh
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Tzu-Hsuan Chang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - I-Hung Shao
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hung-Cheng Kan
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Cheng-Keng Chuang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - See-Tong Pang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Giambò F, Leone GM, Gattuso G, Rizzo R, Cosentino A, Cinà D, Teodoro M, Costa C, Tsatsakis A, Fenga C, Falzone L. Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations Induced by Pesticide Exposure: Integrated Analysis of Gene Expression, microRNA Expression, and DNA Methylation Datasets. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168697. [PMID: 34444445 PMCID: PMC8394939 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental or occupational exposure to pesticides is considered one of the main risk factors for the development of various diseases. Behind the development of pesticide-associated pathologies, there are both genetic and epigenetic alterations, where these latter are mainly represented by the alteration in the expression levels of microRNAs and by the change in the methylation status of the DNA. At present, no studies have comprehensively evaluated the genetic and epigenetic alterations induced by pesticides; therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify modifications in gene miRNA expression and DNA methylation useful for the prediction of pesticide exposure. For this purpose, an integrated analysis of gene expression, microRNA expression, and DNA methylation datasets obtained from the GEO DataSets database was performed to identify putative genes, microRNAs, and DNA methylation hotspots associated with pesticide exposure and responsible for the development of different diseases. In addition, DIANA-miRPath, STRING, and GO Panther prediction tools were used to establish the functional role of the putative biomarkers identified. The results obtained demonstrated that pesticides can modulate the expression levels of different genes and induce different epigenetic alterations in the expression levels of miRNAs and in the modulation of DNA methylation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Giambò
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy;
| | - Gian Marco Leone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.M.L.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Gattuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.M.L.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Roberta Rizzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.M.L.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessia Cosentino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.M.L.); (G.G.); (R.R.); (A.C.)
| | - Diana Cinà
- Health Management of the “Cannizzaro” Emergency Hospital of Catania, 95126 Catania, Italy;
- Clinical Pathology and Clinical Molecular Biology Unit, “Garibaldi Centro” Hospital, ARNAS Garibaldi, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Michele Teodoro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (M.T.); (C.F.)
| | - Chiara Costa
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Department, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Aristides Tsatsakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Concettina Fenga
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (M.T.); (C.F.)
| | - Luca Falzone
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, National Cancer Institute-IRCCS ‘Fondazione G. Pascale’, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-478-1278
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9
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Khalighfard S, Kalhori MR, Amiriani T, Poorkhani A, Khori V, Esmati E, Lashkari M, Najafi A, Alizadeh AM. A systematic approach introduced novel targets in rectal cancer by considering miRNA/mRNA interactions in response to radiotherapy. Cancer Biomark 2021; 33:97-110. [PMID: 34366323 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-210079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The discovery of miRNA/mRNA interactions in several biological samples prompted the researchers to explore new biomarkers in tumors. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the interactions of miRNA/mRNA in response to radiotherapy in the plasma samples of rectal cancer patients. METHODS Five microarray datasets related to cancerous and non-cancerous individuals were first used to construct networks. The databases of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were applied to analyze pathway enrichment. The plasma samples were then collected from 55 patients with recently diagnosed rectal cancer and 10 healthy subjects. For radiotherapy courses, the patients have consecutively received 30 sessions of local radiation for six weeks. At last, the expression of selected genes and miRNAs was experimentally measured before and after radiotherapy by qPCR, and the protein levels of the target genes were measured by ELISA assay. We evaluated the therapeutic responses based on the tumor regression grade of the Dworak classification. RESULTS We identified 5 up-regulated and 5 down-regulated miRNAs and 8 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated genes of the databases. There was a significant increase in tumor suppressor miRNAs, including miR-101-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-26a-5p, miR-34a-5p, and a significant decrease in oncomiRs, including miR-221-3p and miR-17-5p, after radiotherapy compared to the pre-treatment. Moreover, the up-regulated miR-17-5p and miR-221-5p and the down-regulated miR-101-3p and miR-145-5p were directly related to rectal cancer through the interaction with the Wnt, RAS, PI3K, and TGF-β signaling pathways. An analysis of receiver operating characteristics showed that miRNAs 221, 17, and 23 were response-related in locally advanced rectal cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS It seems that monitoring the miRNA/mRNA interactions during radiotherapy can be an appropriate diagnostic tool to track the recovery process and respond to standard therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solmaz Khalighfard
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Breast Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Kalhori
- Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Taghi Amiriani
- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Amirhoushang Poorkhani
- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Vahid Khori
- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Esmati
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Lashkari
- Radiation Oncology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Najafi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Radiation Oncology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Mohammad Alizadeh
- Breast Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Radiation Oncology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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10
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Pizzolante A, Nicodemo F, Pierri A, Ferro A, Pierri B, Buonerba C, Beccaloni E, Albanese S, Basso B, Cerino P. Development of a municipality index of environmental pressure in Campania, Italy. Future Sci OA 2021; 7:FSO720. [PMID: 34258027 PMCID: PMC8256331 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2021-0055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy (Istitituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, IZSM) is a public health institution operating within the Italian National Health Service. Over the past 5 years [IZSM] has promoted several research studies and interventions in an effort to tackle the ‘Land of Fires’ phenomenon, caused by the continued trafficking and uncontrolled incineration of waste that has affected some areas of Campania for decades. In this article, a mathematical model that generates a municipality index of environmental pressure is presented. The model was developed by a multidisciplinary team led by an environmental engineer and included researchers in the fields of veterinary and human medicine, biology and computer science. This model may serve as a geostratification tool useful for the design of human biomonitoring studies, although it may also be employed for strategic planning of remediation programs and public health interventions. The complex environmental scenario of the ‘Land of Fires’ phenomenon is caused by the continued trafficking and uncontrolled incineration of waste, and has affected some areas of Campania in Italy for decades. In this article a mathematical model that generates a municipality index of environmental pressure is presented. This index may be used for the design of biomonitoring studies as well as for planning of remediation interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Pizzolante
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | - Federico Nicodemo
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | - Andrea Pierri
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | - Amedeo Ferro
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | - Biancamaria Pierri
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | - Carlo Buonerba
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | - Eleonora Beccaloni
- Dipartimento di Ambiente e Connessa Prevenzione Primaria, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, 00161, Italy
| | - Stefano Albanese
- Department of Earth Sciences, Environment & Resources, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80125, Italy
| | - Bruno Basso
- Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Pellegrino Cerino
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
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11
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Du Y, Zhang X, Zhang H, Chen Y, Zhu S, Shu J, Pan H. Propofol modulates the proliferation, invasion and migration of bladder cancer cells through the miR‑145‑5p/TOP2A axis. Mol Med Rep 2021; 23:439. [PMID: 33846791 PMCID: PMC8060790 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Propofol‑based anesthesia has been reported to reduce the recurrence and metastasis of a number of cancer types following surgical resection. However, the effects of propofol in bladder cancer (BC) are yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the functions of propofol in BC and their underlying mechanisms. In the study, the expression of microRNA (miR)‑145‑5p in BC tissues and cell lines was evaluated using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR, and the effects of propofol on BC cells were determined using cell viability, wound healing and Transwell cell invasion assays, bioinformatics analysis, western blotting, immunohistochemistry and in vivo tumor xenograft models. It was found that propofol significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of BC cells in vitro. In addition, propofol induced miR‑145‑5p expression in a time‑dependent manner, and miR‑145‑5p knockdown attenuated the inhibitory effects of propofol on the proliferation, migration and invasion of BC cells. Topoisomerase II α (TOP2A) was a direct target of miR‑145‑5p, and silencing TOP2A reversed the effects of miR‑145‑5p knockdown in propofol‑treated cells. Furthermore, propofol suppressed tumor xenograft growth, which was partially attenuated by miR‑145‑5p knockdown. The present study provided novel insight into the advantages of surgical intervention with propofol anesthesia in patients with BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Du
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Xudong Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yiding Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Shuying Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Jinjun Shu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Hui Pan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
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12
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Fallico M, Raciti G, Longo A, Reibaldi M, Bonfiglio V, Russo A, Caltabiano R, Gattuso G, Falzone L, Avitabile T. Current molecular and clinical insights into uveal melanoma (Review). Int J Oncol 2021; 58:10. [PMID: 33649778 PMCID: PMC7910016 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2021.5190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) represents the most prominent primary eye cancer in adults. With an incidence of approximately 5 cases per million individuals annually in the United States, UM could be considered a relatively rare cancer. The 90-95% of UM cases arise from the choroid. Diagnosis is based mainly on a clinical examination and ancillary tests, with ocular ultrasonography being of greatest value. Differential diagnosis can prove challenging in the case of indeterminate choroidal lesions and, sometimes, monitoring for documented growth may be the proper approach. Fine needle aspiration biopsy tends to be performed with a prognostic purpose, often in combination with radiotherapy. Gene expression profiling has allowed for the grading of UMs into two classes, which feature different metastatic risks. Patients with UM require a specialized multidisciplinary management. Primary tumor treatment can be either enucleation or globe preserving. Usually, enucleation is reserved for larger tumors, while radiotherapy is preferred for small/medium melanomas. The prognosis is unfavorable due to the high mortality rate and high tendency to metastasize. Following the development of metastatic disease, the mortality rate increases to 80% within one year, due to both the absence of an effective treatment and the aggressiveness of the condition. Novel molecular studies have allowed for a better understanding of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved in UM biological activity, which differs compared to skin melanomas. The most commonly mutated genes are GNAQ, GNA11 and BAP1. Research in this field could help to identify effective diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Fallico
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Raciti
- Department of Drug Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, I‑95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Longo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Michele Reibaldi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Eye Clinic Section, University of Turin, I‑10122 Turin, Italy
| | - Vincenza Bonfiglio
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Ophthalmology Section, University of Palermo, I‑90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Russo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Caltabiano
- Department 'G.F. Ingrassia', Section of Anatomic Pathology, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gattuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Luca Falzone
- Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale', I‑80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Teresio Avitabile
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
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13
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Lawal B, Lin LC, Lee JC, Chen JH, Bekaii-Saab TS, Wu ATH, Ho CL. Multi-Omics Data Analysis of Gene Expressions and Alterations, Cancer-Associated Fibroblast and Immune Infiltrations, Reveals the Onco-Immune Prognostic Relevance of STAT3/CDK2/4/6 in Human Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13050954. [PMID: 33668805 PMCID: PMC7956610 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13050954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/Cyclin-dependent kinases are multifunctional proteins that play instrumental roles in carcinogenesis. However, the genetic alterations of the STAT3/CDK2/4/6 signaling axis and its role in predicting immune infiltration and immunotherapeutic response remain unclear. Here, we used in silico analyses of multi-Omics data to map out the role of epigenetic and genetic alterations of STAT3/CDK2/4/6 in tumor immune infiltrations, immunotherapy response, and prognosis of cancer patients. Our study collectively suggested that STAT3/CDK2/4/6 are important onco-immune signatures that contribute to tumor immune invasion, poor prognoses, and immune therapy failure. Our finding may be clinically useful in designing therapeutic strategies, prognosis assessment, and follow-up management in patients receiving immunotherapy in multiple cancers. Abstract Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/Cyclin-dependent kinases are multifunctional proteins that play an important implicative role in cancer initiations, progression, drug resistance, and metastasis, and has been extensively explored in cancer therapy. However, the genetic alterations of STAT3/CDK2/4/6 and its role in predicting immune infiltration and immunotherapeutic response are yet to be well exploited. In this study, we use in silico methods to analyze differential expression, prognostic value, genetic and epigenetic alterations, association with tumor-infiltrating immune cells, and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) infiltrations of STAT3/CDK2/4/6 in multiple cancer types. Our results revealed that the expression of STAT3/CDK2/4/6 was altered in various cancers and is associated with poor overall and disease-free survival of the cohorts. Moreover, genetic alterations in STAT3/CDK2/4/6 co-occurred with a number of other genetic alterations and are associated with poorer prognoses of the cohorts. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis suggests CDK2/4/6/STAT3 may directly interact with factors that promote tumorigenesis and immune response. We found that STAT3/CDK2/4/6 expressions were associated with infiltrations of CAF and the various immune cells in multiple cancers and it’s associated with poor response to immunotherapy. Collectively, our study suggested that STAT3/CDK2/4/6 are important onco-immune signatures that play central roles in tumor immune invasion, poor prognoses and, immune therapy response. Findings from the present study may therefore be clinically useful in prognosis assessment and follow-up management of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashir Lawal
- PhD Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute for Cancer Biology & Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ching Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chi-Mei Foundation Medical Center, Tainan 71004, Taiwan;
| | - Jih-Chin Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 325 Cheng-Kung Road Section 2, Taipei 114, Taiwan;
| | - Jia-Hong Chen
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan;
| | - Tanios S. Bekaii-Saab
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ 85054, USA;
| | - Alexander T. H. Wu
- The PhD Program of Translational Medicine, College of Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Clinical Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- National Defense Medical Center, Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Taipei 114, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (A.T.H.W.); (C.-L.H.)
| | - Ching-Liang Ho
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: (A.T.H.W.); (C.-L.H.)
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14
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Han Z, Zhang C, Wang Q, Li L, Wang M, Li X, Yang C. MicroRNA-19b Downregulates NR3C1 and Enhances Oxaliplatin Chemoresistance in Colon Cancer via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway. Clin Med Insights Oncol 2021; 15:11795549211012666. [PMID: 34017210 PMCID: PMC8114261 DOI: 10.1177/11795549211012666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying the genes and signaling pathways related to chemoresistance might facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies for colon cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the biological functions and underlying mechanisms of action of miR-19b and NR3C1, as well as their effects on chemosensitivity to oxaliplatin and prognosis of colon cancer patients. METHODS Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining were used to analyze the expression of miR-19b and NR3C1. Dual firefly luciferase reporter gene analysis was used to identify miR-19b target genes. Associations of miR-19b and NR3C1 with survival were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometric analysis were used to measure cell viability, cytotoxicity, cell cycle phase, and apoptosis, respectively. The effect of miR-19b on cell proliferation was investigated in vivo. RESULTS The miR-19b was overexpressed and NR3C1 was decreased in colon cancer tissue and cell lines (SW480 and DLD-1). The miR-19b inhibition and NR3C1 overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, and induced G1/S cell cycle blockade, apoptosis, and chemosensitivity to oxaliplatin in vitro. The miR-19b inhibition suppressed subcutaneous tumorigenesis in vivo. Increased miR-19b and decreased NR3C1 in colon cancer were correlated with poor prognosis. In addition, our results confirmed NR3C1 was directly targeted by miR-19b. Thus, miR-19b might inhibit apoptosis and enhance oxaliplatin chemoresistance via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed that miR-19b promotes cell survival and chemoresistance to oxaliplatin via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway by downregulating NR3C1 in colon cancer. miR-19b and NR3C1 might be potential intervention targets for chemoresistance of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongbo Han
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Shandong University, Zibo, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Shandong University, Zibo, China
| | - Qingfeng Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Shandong University, Zibo, China
- Qingfeng Wang, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Shandong University, 54 West Gongqingtuan Road, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China.
| | - Liang Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Shandong University, Zibo, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Shandong University, Zibo, China
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Zibo, China
| | - Chunxia Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Shandong University, Zibo, China
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15
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Crimi S, Falzone L, Gattuso G, Grillo CM, Candido S, Bianchi A, Libra M. Droplet Digital PCR Analysis of Liquid Biopsy Samples Unveils the Diagnostic Role of hsa-miR-133a-3p and hsa-miR-375-3p in Oral Cancer. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9110379. [PMID: 33172167 PMCID: PMC7694750 DOI: 10.3390/biology9110379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite the availability of screening programs, oral cancer is often diagnosed due to the lack of effective biomarkers. Therefore, the identification of new effective diagnostic and late prognostic biomarkers is of fundamental importance for the management of this tumor type. In our previous computational study, we have identified a set of microRNAs (miRNAs) significantly dysregulated in oral cancer and with a potential diagnostic and prognostic significance for oral cancer patients. Starting from our preliminary bioinformatics results, the aim of the present study was to validate the diagnostic potential of four selected miRNAs, hsa-miR-133a-3p, hsa-miR-375-3p, hsa-miR-503-5p and hsa-miR-196a-5p, in liquid biopsy samples obtained from oral cancer patients and healthy donors. For this purpose, the expression levels of the selected miRNAs were determined in plasma samples by using specific miRNA probes and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). The ddPCR results showed that the hsa-miR-133a-3p and hsa-miR-375-3p were significantly down-regulated in oral cancer and their evaluation in liquid biopsy samples can predict the risk of oral cancer development with high sensitivity and specificity. Finally, the computational analysis of miRNA expression and clinical-pathological features of patients allowed us to establish the functional role and prognostic significance of the two validated miRNAs. Abstract Despite the availability of screening programs, oral cancer deaths are increasing due to the lack of diagnostic biomarkers leading to late diagnosis and a poor prognosis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover novel effective biomarkers for this tumor. On these bases, the aim of this study was to validate the diagnostic potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) through the analysis of liquid biopsy samples obtained from ten oral cancer patients and ten healthy controls. The expression of four selected miRNAs was evaluated by using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) in a pilot cohort of ten oral cancer patients and ten healthy donors. Bioinformatics analyses were performed to assess the functional role of these miRNAs. The expression levels of the predicted down-regulated hsa-miR-133a-3p and hsa-miR-375-3p were significantly reduced in oral cancer patients compared to normal individuals while no significant results were obtained for the up-regulated hsa-miR-503-5p and hsa-miR-196a-5p. ROC analysis confirmed the high sensitivity and specificity of hsa-miR-375-3p and hsa-miR-133a-3p. Therefore, both miRNAs are significantly down-regulated in cancer patients and can be used as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of oral cancer. The analysis of circulating miRNAs in a larger series of patients is mandatory to confirm the results obtained in this pilot study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Crimi
- Department of General Surgery, Section of Maxillo Facial Surgery, Policlinico San Marco, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Luca Falzone
- Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-478-1271
| | - Giuseppe Gattuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (S.C.); (M.L.)
| | - Caterina Maria Grillo
- Otolaryngology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Saverio Candido
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (S.C.); (M.L.)
- Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Alberto Bianchi
- Department of General Surgery, Section of Maxillo Facial Surgery, Policlinico San Marco, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (S.C.); (M.L.)
- Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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Filetti V, Vitale E, Broggi G, Hagnäs MP, Candido S, Spina A, Lombardo C. Update of in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo fluoro-edenite effects on malignant mesothelioma: A systematic review (Review). Biomed Rep 2020; 13:60. [PMID: 33149905 PMCID: PMC7605121 DOI: 10.3892/br.2020.1367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluoro-edenite (FE), asbestiform fiber found in Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy), presents various characteristics similar to the asbestos group, in particular two fibrous phases tremolite and actinolite. Indeed, epidemiological studies have shown that FE fibers have similar effects to those of asbestos fibers. Such studies have reported a high incidence of malignant mesothelioma (MM), an aggressive neoplasm of the serosal membranes lining the pleural cavity, in individuals residing there due to FE exposure in Biancavilla related to environmental contamination. Evidence has led to the classification of FE as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The aim of this systematic review is to compare the results achieved in in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo experimental studies involving FE in order to update the current knowledge on the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms responsible for FE-mediated MM development as well as the availability of effective biomarkers for MM prevention and diagnosis. This review is focused on the pathophysiological mechanisms mediated by inflammation induced by FE fiber exposure and which are responsible for MM development. This review also discusses the discovery of new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for the management of this pathology. It is known that the risk of cancer development increases with chronic inflammation, arising from enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NO• production stimulated by the body to remove exogenous agents, causing DNA damage and enhanced signal transduction that may lead to activation of oncogenes. Studies concerning MM biomarker discovery indicate that several biomarkers have been proposed for MM, but mesothelin is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved biomarker for MM, with limitations. In recent studies, in silico analysis to identify selected miRNAs highly deregulated in cancer samples when compared with normal control have been developed. This in silico approach could represent an effort in the field of biomarker discovery for MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Filetti
- Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Ermanno Vitale
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Broggi
- Pathologic Anatomy, Department 'G.F. Ingrassia', University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria P Hagnäs
- Rovaniemi Health Centre, 96200 Rovaniemi, Finland.,Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, 90150 Oulu, Finland
| | - Saverio Candido
- Oncologic, Clinic and General Pathology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.,Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer (PreDiCT), University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Anna Spina
- INPS Italian National Social Security Institution, I-95129 Catania, Italy
| | - Claudia Lombardo
- Pathologic Anatomy, Department 'G.F. Ingrassia', University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
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Integrated Analysis to Study the Relationship between Tumor-Associated Selenoproteins: Focus on Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186694. [PMID: 32933107 PMCID: PMC7555134 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186694] [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: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Selenoproteins are proteins that contain selenium within selenocysteine residues. To date, twenty-five mammalian selenoproteins have been identified; however, the functions of nearly half of these selenoproteins are unknown. Although alterations in selenoprotein expression and function have been suggested to play a role in cancer development and progression, few detailed studies have been carried out in this field. Network analyses and data mining of publicly available datasets on gene expression levels in different cancers, and the correlations with patient outcome, represent important tools to study the correlation between selenoproteins and other proteins present in the human interactome, and to determine whether altered selenoprotein expression is cancer type-specific, and/or correlated with cancer patient prognosis. Therefore, in the present study, we used bioinformatics approaches to (i) build up the network of interactions between twenty-five selenoproteins and identify the most inter-correlated proteins/genes, which are named HUB nodes; and (ii) analyze the correlation between selenoprotein gene expression and patient outcome in ten solid tumors. Then, considering the need to confirm by experimental approaches the correlations suggested by the bioinformatics analyses, we decided to evaluate the gene expression levels of the twenty-five selenoproteins and six HUB nodes in androgen receptor-positive (22RV1 and LNCaP) and androgen receptor-negative (DU145 and PC3) cell lines, compared to human nontransformed, and differentiated, prostate epithelial cells (EPN) by RT-qPCR analysis. This analysis confirmed that the combined evaluation of some selenoproteins and HUB nodes could have prognostic value and may improve patient outcome predictions.
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Zhang Y, Qin X, Jiang J, Zhao W. MicroRNA-126 exerts antitumor functions in ovarian cancer by targeting EGFL7 and affecting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and ERK/MAPK signaling pathway. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:1327-1335. [PMID: 32724375 PMCID: PMC7377137 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is a common gynecological malignant carcinoma worldwide. Accumulating research has revealed that multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) are abnormally expressed at different levels in various malignancies, playing vital roles in tumorigenesis. This study investigated the regulatory functions and potential mechanism of miR-126 in OC proliferation, invasion and migration. It was found that miR-126 was prominently downregulated in OC. Moreover, the decrease of miR-126 promoted the aggressive phenotypes and indicated poor prognosis of OC patients. Functional assays demonstrated that restoration of miR-126 dramatically repressed OC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify putative binding sites of miR-126 in the epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) 3 untranslated region (3'UTR), indicating that EGFL7 was a target gene of miR-126 in OC cells. It was further discovered that miR-126 exerts its function on regulating ERK/MAPK pathway and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in OC cells. The above findings suggested that miR-126 served as a cancer suppressor in OC, suggesting a promising application of miR-126 in the clinical diagnosis and therapeutics of OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 261041, P.R. China
| | - Xiaobo Qin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhangqiu District Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250200, P.R. China
| | - Juan Jiang
- Department of Nursing, The Third People's Hospital of Qingdao, Qingdao, Shandong 266041, P.R. China
| | - Wenjie Zhao
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 261041, P.R. China
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Costa C, Teodoro M, Rugolo CA, Alibrando C, Giambò F, Briguglio G, Fenga C. MicroRNAs alteration as early biomarkers for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases: New challenges in pesticides exposure. Toxicol Rep 2020; 7:759-767. [PMID: 32612936 PMCID: PMC7322123 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2020.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Current knowledge linking pesticide exposure, cancer and neuro-degenerative diseases to dysregulation of microRNA network was summarized. Literature indicates differential miRNA expression targeting biomolecules and pathways involved in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Evaluation of miRNA expression may be used to develop new non-invasive strategies for the prediction and prognosis of diseases including cancer. The application of miRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers in the clinical field is extremely challenging.
This review summarizes the current knowledge linking cancer and neuro-degenerative diseases to dysregulation of microRNA network following pesticide exposure. Most findings revealed differential miRNA expression targeting biomolecules and pathways involved in various neoplastic localizations and neurodegenerative diseases. A growing body of evidence in recent literature indicates that alteration of specific miRNAs can represent an early biomarker of disease following exposure to chemical agents, including pesticides. Different miRNAs seem to regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and metastasis via many biological pathways through modulation of the expression of target mRNAs. The evaluation of miRNA expression levels may be used to develop new non-invasive strategies for the prediction and prognosis of many diseases, including cancer. However, the application of miRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers in the clinical field is extremely challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Costa
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Department, University of Messina, Messina 98125, Italy
| | - Michele Teodoro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmela Alessandra Rugolo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmela Alibrando
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Giambò
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Giusi Briguglio
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Concettina Fenga
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy
- Corresponding author at: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, Policlinico Universitario “G. Martino” – pad. H, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy.
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20
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Napoli S, Scuderi C, Gattuso G, Di Bella V, Candido S, Basile MS, Libra M, Falzone L. Functional Roles of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors in Melanoma. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051151. [PMID: 32392801 PMCID: PMC7291303 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in the regulation of the tissue microenvironment and in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Several proteins with a proteolytic activity toward several ECM components are involved in the regulation and remodeling of the ECM. Among these, Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a class of peptidase able to remodel the ECM by favoring the tumor invasive processes. Of these peptidases, MMP-9 is the most involved in the development of cancer, including that of melanoma. Dysregulations of the MAPKs and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways can lead to an aberrant overexpression of MMP-9. Even ncRNAs are implicated in the aberrant production of MMP-9 protein, as well as other proteins responsible for the activation or inhibition of MMP-9, such as Osteopontin and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases. Currently, there are different therapeutic approaches for melanoma, including targeted therapies and immunotherapies. However, no biomarkers are available for the prediction of the therapeutic response. In this context, several studies have tried to understand the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic potential of MMP-9 in melanoma patients by performing clinical trials with synthetic MMPs inhibitors. Therefore, MMP-9 may be considered a promising molecule for the management of melanoma patients due to its role as a biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Napoli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.N.); (C.S.); (G.G.); (V.D.B.); (S.C.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Chiara Scuderi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.N.); (C.S.); (G.G.); (V.D.B.); (S.C.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Giuseppe Gattuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.N.); (C.S.); (G.G.); (V.D.B.); (S.C.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Virginia Di Bella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.N.); (C.S.); (G.G.); (V.D.B.); (S.C.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Saverio Candido
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.N.); (C.S.); (G.G.); (V.D.B.); (S.C.); (M.S.B.)
- Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Sofia Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.N.); (C.S.); (G.G.); (V.D.B.); (S.C.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (S.N.); (C.S.); (G.G.); (V.D.B.); (S.C.); (M.S.B.)
- Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.L.); or (L.F.); Tel.: +39-095-478-1271 (M.L.); +39-094-478-1278 (L.F.)
| | - Luca Falzone
- Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.L.); or (L.F.); Tel.: +39-095-478-1271 (M.L.); +39-094-478-1278 (L.F.)
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21
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Costa C, Briguglio G, Giamb� F, Catanoso R, Teodoro M, Caccamo D, Fenga C. Association between oxidative stress biomarkers and PON and GST polymorphisms as a predictor for susceptibility to the effects of pesticides. Int J Mol Med 2020; 45:1951-1959. [DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Costa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, I‑98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Giusi Briguglio
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho‑Functional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, I‑98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Giamb�
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho‑Functional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, I‑98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosaria Catanoso
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho‑Functional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, I‑98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Michele Teodoro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho‑Functional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, I‑98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Caccamo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho‑Functional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, I‑98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Concettina Fenga
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho‑Functional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, I‑98125 Messina, Italy
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La Rosa GRM, Gattuso G, Pedullà E, Rapisarda E, Nicolosi D, Salmeri M. Association of oral dysbiosis with oral cancer development. Oncol Lett 2020; 19:3045-3058. [PMID: 32211076 PMCID: PMC7079586 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the leading cause of mortality for oral cancer. Numerous risk factors mainly related to unhealthy habits and responsible for chronic inflammation and infections have been recognized as predisposing factors for oral carcinogenesis. Recently, even microbiota alterations have been associated with the development of human cancers. In particular, some specific bacterial strains have been recognized and strongly associated with oral cancer development (Capnocytophaga gingivalis, Fusobacterium spp., Streptococcus spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella spp.). Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain how the oral microbiota could be involved in cancer pathogenesis by mainly paying attention to chronic inflammation, microbial synthesis of cancerogenic substances, and alteration of epithelial barrier integrity. Based on knowledge of the carcinogenic effects of dysbiosis, it was recently suggested that probiotics may have anti-tumoral activity. Nevertheless, few data exist with regard to probiotic effects on oral cancer. On this basis, the association between the development of oral cancer and oral dysbiosis is discussed focusing attention on the potential benefits of probiotics administration in cancer prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, University of Catania, I-95125 Catania, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, International PhD Program in Basic and Applied Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gattuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, International PhD Program in Basic and Applied Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Eugenio Pedullà
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, University of Catania, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Ernesto Rapisarda
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, University of Catania, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Daria Nicolosi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Mario Salmeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy
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23
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Costa C, Briguglio G, Catanoso R, Giambò F, Polito I, Teodoro M, Fenga C. New perspectives on cytokine pathways modulation by pesticide exposure. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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24
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Linck-Paulus L, Hellerbrand C, Bosserhoff AK, Dietrich P. Dissimilar Appearances Are Deceptive-Common microRNAs and Therapeutic Strategies in Liver Cancer and Melanoma. Cells 2020; 9:E114. [PMID: 31906510 PMCID: PMC7017070 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
: In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on miRNAs as therapeutic targets in two cancer types that were frequently described to be driven by miRNAs-melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By focusing on common microRNAs and associated pathways in these-at first sight-dissimilar cancer types, we aim at revealing similar molecular mechanisms that are evolved in microRNA-biology to drive cancer progression. Thereby, we also want to outlay potential novel therapeutic strategies. After providing a brief introduction to general miRNA biology and basic information about HCC and melanoma, this review depicts prominent examples of potent oncomiRs and tumor-suppressor miRNAs, which have been proven to drive diverse cancer types including melanoma and HCC. To develop and apply miRNA-based therapeutics for cancer treatment in the future, it is essential to understand how miRNA dysregulation evolves during malignant transformation. Therefore, we highlight important aspects such as genetic alterations, miRNA editing and transcriptional regulation based on concrete examples. Furthermore, we expand our illustration by focusing on miRNA-associated proteins as well as other regulators of miRNAs which could also provide therapeutic targets. Finally, design and delivery strategies of miRNA-associated therapeutic agents as well as potential drawbacks are discussed to address the question of how miRNAs might contribute to cancer therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Linck-Paulus
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.L.-P.); (C.H.)
| | - Claus Hellerbrand
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.L.-P.); (C.H.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja K. Bosserhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.L.-P.); (C.H.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Dietrich
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.L.-P.); (C.H.)
- Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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25
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Pennisi M, Russo G, Sgroi G, Bonaccorso A, Parasiliti Palumbo GA, Fichera E, Mitra DK, Walker KB, Cardona PJ, Amat M, Viceconti M, Pappalardo F. Predicting the artificial immunity induced by RUTI® vaccine against tuberculosis using universal immune system simulator (UISS). BMC Bioinformatics 2019; 20:504. [PMID: 31822272 PMCID: PMC6904993 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-019-3045-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) represents a worldwide cause of mortality (it infects one third of the world's population) affecting mostly developing countries, including India, and recently also developed ones due to the increased mobility of the world population and the evolution of different new bacterial strains capable to provoke multi-drug resistance phenomena. Currently, antitubercular drugs are unable to eradicate subpopulations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) bacilli and therapeutic vaccinations have been postulated to overcome some of the critical issues related to the increase of drug-resistant forms and the difficult clinical and public health management of tuberculosis patients. The Horizon 2020 EC funded project "In Silico Trial for Tuberculosis Vaccine Development" (STriTuVaD) to support the identification of new therapeutic interventions against tuberculosis through novel in silico modelling of human immune responses to disease and vaccines, thereby drastically reduce the cost of clinical trials in this critical sector of public healthcare. RESULTS We present the application of the Universal Immune System Simulator (UISS) computational modeling infrastructure as a disease model for TB. The model is capable to simulate the main features and dynamics of the immune system activities i.e., the artificial immunity induced by RUTI® vaccine, a polyantigenic liposomal therapeutic vaccine made of fragments of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells (FCMtb). Based on the available data coming from phase II Clinical Trial in subjects with latent tuberculosis infection treated with RUTI® and isoniazid, we generated simulation scenarios through validated data in order to tune UISS accordingly to STriTuVaD objectives. The first case simulates the establishment of MTB latent chronic infection with some typical granuloma formation; the second scenario deals with a reactivation phase during latent chronic infection; the third represents the latent chronic disease infection scenario during RUTI® vaccine administration. CONCLUSIONS The application of this computational modeling strategy helpfully contributes to simulate those mechanisms involved in the early stages and in the progression of tuberculosis infection and to predict how specific therapeutical strategies will act in this scenario. In view of these results, UISS owns the capacity to open the door for a prompt integration of in silico methods within the pipeline of clinical trials, supporting and guiding the testing of treatments in patients affected by tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzio Pennisi
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giulia Russo
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Italy, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sgroi
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Angela Bonaccorso
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Italy, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - Dipendra Kumar Mitra
- Department of Transplant Immunology and Immunogenetics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029 India
| | - Kenneth B. Walker
- TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI), Lelystad, 8219 The Netherlands
| | - Pere-Joan Cardona
- Archivel Farma, S.L, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Experimental Tuberculosis Unit (UTE), Fundació Institut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Badalona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
| | - Merce Amat
- Archivel Farma, S.L, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Marco Viceconti
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy
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26
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Tuaeva NO, Falzone L, Porozov YB, Nosyrev AE, Trukhan VM, Kovatsi L, Spandidos DA, Drakoulis N, Kalogeraki A, Mamoulakis C, Tzanakakis G, Libra M, Tsatsakis A. Translational Application of Circulating DNA in Oncology: Review of the Last Decades Achievements. Cells 2019; 8:E1251. [PMID: 31615102 PMCID: PMC6829588 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the introduction of new molecular techniques in experimental and clinical settings has allowed researchers and clinicians to propose circulating-tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis and liquid biopsy as novel promising strategies for the early diagnosis of cancer and for the definition of patients' prognosis. It was widely demonstrated that through the non-invasive analysis of ctDNA, it is possible to identify and characterize the mutational status of tumors while avoiding invasive diagnostic strategies. Although a number of studies on ctDNA in patients' samples significantly contributed to the improvement of oncology practice, some investigations generated conflicting data about the diagnostic and prognostic significance of ctDNA. Hence, to highlight the relevant achievements obtained so far in this field, a clearer description of the current methodologies used, as well as the obtained results, are strongly needed. On these bases, this review discusses the most relevant studies on ctDNA analysis in cancer, as well as the future directions and applications of liquid biopsy. In particular, special attention was paid to the early diagnosis of primary cancer, to the diagnosis of tumors with an unknown primary location, and finally to the prognosis of cancer patients. Furthermore, the current limitations of ctDNA-based approaches and possible strategies to overcome these limitations are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia O Tuaeva
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Luca Falzone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnlogical Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
- Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Yuri B Porozov
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048 Moscow, Russia.
- ITMO University, Saint Petersburg 197101, Russia.
| | - Alexander E Nosyrev
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Vladimir M Trukhan
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Leda Kovatsi
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54248 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Demetrios A Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, 70013 Crete, Greece.
| | - Nikolaos Drakoulis
- Research Group of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Zografou, Greece.
| | - Alexandra Kalogeraki
- Department of Pathology-Cytopathology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, 70013 Crete, Greece.
| | - Charalampos Mamoulakis
- Department of Urology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete, Medical School, Heraklion, 70013 Crete, Greece.
| | - George Tzanakakis
- Laboratory of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, 70013 Crete, Greece.
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnlogical Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
- Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Aristides Tsatsakis
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048 Moscow, Russia.
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, 71003 Crete, Greece.
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27
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Current Perspectives in Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101472. [PMID: 31575023 PMCID: PMC6826426 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Different immunotherapeutic approaches have proved to be of significant clinical value to many patients with different types of advanced cancer. However, we need more precise immunotherapies and predictive biomarkers to increase the successful response rates. The advent of next generation sequencing technologies and their applications in immuno-oncology has helped us tremendously towards this aim. We are now moving towards the realization of personalized medicine, thus, significantly increasing our expectations for a more successful management of the disease. Here, we discuss the current immunotherapeutic approaches against cancer, including immune checkpoint blockade with an emphasis on anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies. We also analyze a growing list of other co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory markers and emphasize the mechanism of action of the principal pathway for each of these, as well as on drugs that either have been FDA-approved or are under clinical investigation. We further discuss recent advances in other immunotherapies, including cytokine therapy, adoptive cell transfer therapy and therapeutic vaccines. We finally discuss the modulation of gut microbiota composition and response to immunotherapy, as well as how tumor-intrinsic factors and immunological processes influence the mutational and epigenetic landscape of progressing tumors and response to immunotherapy but also how immunotherapeutic intervention influences the landscape of cancer neoepitopes and tumor immunoediting.
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Current and Future Trends on Diagnosis and Prognosis of Glioblastoma: From Molecular Biology to Proteomics. Cells 2019; 8:cells8080863. [PMID: 31405017 PMCID: PMC6721640 DOI: 10.3390/cells8080863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Due to the absence of effective pharmacological and surgical treatments, the identification of early diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers is of key importance to improve the survival rate of patients and to develop new personalized treatments. On these bases, the aim of this review article is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the application of molecular biology and proteomics techniques for the identification of novel biomarkers through the analysis of different biological samples obtained from glioblastoma patients, including DNA, microRNAs, proteins, small molecules, circulating tumor cells, extracellular vesicles, etc. Both benefits and pitfalls of molecular biology and proteomics analyses are discussed, including the different mass spectrometry-based analytical techniques, highlighting how these investigation strategies are powerful tools to study the biology of glioblastoma, as well as to develop advanced methods for the management of this pathology.
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Ye X, Guo J, Zhang H, Meng Q, Ma Y, Lin R, Yi X, Lu H, Bai X, Cheng J. The enhanced expression of estrogen-related receptor α in human bladder cancer tissues and the effects of estrogen-related receptor α knockdown on bladder cancer cells. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:13841-13852. [PMID: 30977157 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.28657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) belongs to the superfamily of nuclear orphan receptors. However, the role of ERRα in bladder cancer remains unknown. This study examined the expression of ERRα in bladder cancer tissues and explored the molecular mechanisms of ERRα in bladder cancer progression. The expression of ERRα in bladder cancer tissues from 61 patients was determined by immunohistochemistry. We performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay to detect the gene expression levels and carried out Western blot assay to measure protein levels. In vitro functional assays, including colony formation, Cell Counting Kit-8, Transwell invasion, and migration assays, were performed to detect bladder cancer cell growth, proliferation, invasion, and migration, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to determine the cell apoptotic rate of bladder cancer cells. Among the 61 detected bladder cancer tissues, 39 bladder cancer tissues showed positive ERRα immunoreactivity. Higher ERRα immunoreactivity score was significantly associated with TNM stage, tumor grade, distant metastasis, and poor survival in patients with bladder cancer. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that ERRα immunoreactivity was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with bladder cancer. ERRα was found to be upregulated in bladder cancer cell lines, and knockdown of ERRα suppressed bladder cancer cell growth, proliferation, invasion, and migration; promoted bladder cancer cell apoptosis; and inhibited the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of bladder cancer cells. On the other hand, bladder cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were significantly enhanced after cells were transfected with an ERRα-overexpressing vector. In vivo tumor growth and metastasis assays showed that ERRα knockdown resulted in remarkable inhibition of tumor growth and tumor metastasis in nude mice. Collectively, our results suggest that the enhanced expression of ERRα may play a key role in the development and progression of bladder cancer and ERRα may serve as an important prognostic factor for bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinqing Ye
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jinan Guo
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen Minimally Invasive Engineering Center, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Public Service Platform on Tumor Precision Medicine and Molecular Diagnosis, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongxiang Zhang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Qinggui Meng
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yun Ma
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Rui Lin
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xianlin Yi
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Haoyuan Lu
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xianzhong Bai
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jiwen Cheng
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Candido S, Lupo G, Pennisi M, Basile MS, Anfuso CD, Petralia MC, Gattuso G, Vivarelli S, Spandidos DA, Libra M, Falzone L. The analysis of miRNA expression profiling datasets reveals inverse microRNA patterns in glioblastoma and Alzheimer's disease. Oncol Rep 2019; 42:911-922. [PMID: 31322245 PMCID: PMC6682788 DOI: 10.3892/or.2019.7215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is recent evidence to indicate the existence of an inverse association between the incidence of neurological disorders and cancer development. Concurrently, the transcriptional pathways responsible for the onset of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been found to be mutually exclusive between the two pathologies. Despite advancements being made concerning the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of GBM and AD, little is known about the identity of the microRNA (miRNAs or miRs) involved in the development and progression of these two pathologies and their possible inverse expression patterns. On these bases, the aim of the present study was to identify a set of miRNAs significantly de-regulated in both GBM and AD, and hence to determine whether the identified miRNAs exhibit an inverse association within the two pathologies. For this purpose, miRNA expression profiling datasets derived from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) DataSets and relative to GBM and AD were used. Once the miRNAs significantly de-regulated in both pathologies were identified, DIANA-mirPath pathway prediction and STRING Gene Ontology enrichment analyses were performed to establish their functional roles in each of the pathologies. The results allowed the identification of a set of miRNAs found de-regulated in both GBM and AD, whose expression levels were inversely associated in the two pathologies. In particular, a strong negative association was observed between the expression levels of miRNAs in GBM compared to AD, suggesting that although the molecular pathways behind the development of these two pathologies are the same, they appear to be inversely regulated by miRNAs. Despite the identification of this set of miRNAs which may be used for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes, further functional in vitro and in vivo evaluations are warranted in order to validate the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of the identified miRNAs, as well as their involvement in the development of GBM and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saverio Candido
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria S Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Carmelina D Anfuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria C Petralia
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gattuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Silvia Vivarelli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Demetrios A Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Luca Falzone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, I‑95123 Catania, Italy
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31
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Genetic polymorphisms as determinants of pesticide toxicity: Recent advances. Toxicol Rep 2019; 6:564-570. [PMID: 31293901 PMCID: PMC6595235 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic polymorphisms may influence pesticides-induced oxidative damage.Pesticides modulate immune-system cells functionality, leading to the onset of a dangerous pro-inflammatory microenvironment. DNA repair genes, Cytochrome P450 s, PON and GST genes have a key role in the metabolism of xenobiotics. Many workers are professionally exposed to pesticides with potential health consequences.
Occupational and environmental exposure to pesticides may induce harmful effects on human health by promoting the development of a wide range of disorders. Some of the most recently hypothesized mechanisms are oxidative stress and epigenetic modifications, however biological effects seem to be modulated mainly by the occurrence of genetic polymorphisms. The susceptibility to exposure can be evaluated by studying the most common polymorphisms of genes involved in the metabolism of organophosphorus compounds (cytochrome P450, glutathione transferase, acetyltransferases or paraoxonase 1). The aim of this article is to review recent literature data concerning the influence of genetic polymorphisms on pesticides-induced oxidative damage.
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32
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Falzone L, Romano GL, Salemi R, Bucolo C, Tomasello B, Lupo G, Anfuso CD, Spandidos DA, Libra M, Candido S. Prognostic significance of deregulated microRNAs in uveal melanomas. Mol Med Rep 2019; 19:2599-2610. [PMID: 30816460 PMCID: PMC6423615 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.9949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) represents the most frequent primary tumor of the eye. Despite the development of new drugs and screening programs, the prognosis of patients with UM remains poor and no effective prognostic biomarkers are yet able to identify high-risk patients. Therefore, in the present study, microRNA (miRNA or miR) expression data, contained in the TCGA UM (UVM) database, were analyzed in order to identify a set of miRNAs with prognostic significance to be used as biomarkers in clinical practice. Patients were stratified into 2 groups, including tumor stage (high-grade vs. low-grade) and status (deceased vs. alive); differential analyses of miRNA expression among these groups were performed. A total of 20 deregulated miRNAs for each group were identified. In total 7 miRNAs were common between the groups. The majority of common miRNAs belonged to the miR-506-514 cluster, known to be involved in UM development. The prognostic value of the 20 selected miRNAs related to tumor stage was assessed. The deregulation of 12 miRNAs (6 upregulated and 6 downregulated) was associated with a worse prognosis of patients with UM. Subsequently, miRCancerdb and microRNA Data Integration Portal bioinformatics tools were used to identify a set of genes associated with the 20 miRNAs and to establish their interaction levels. By this approach, 53 different negatively and positively associated genes were identified. Finally, DIANA-mirPath prediction pathway and Gene Ontology enrichment analyses were performed on the lists of genes previously generated to establish their functional involvement in biological processes and molecular pathways. All the miRNAs and genes were involved in molecular pathways usually altered in cancer, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Overall, the findings of the presents study demonstrated that the miRNAs of the miR-506-514 cluster, hsa-miR-592 and hsa-miR-199a-5p were the most deregulated miRNAs in patients with high-grade disease compared to those with low-grade disease and were strictly related to the overall survival (OS) of the patients. However, further in vitro and translational approaches are required to validate these preliminary findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Falzone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni L Romano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Rossella Salemi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Barbara Tomasello
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Carmelina D Anfuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Demetrios A Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Saverio Candido
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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Li M, Huo X, Davuljigari CB, Dai Q, Xu X. MicroRNAs and their role in environmental chemical carcinogenesis. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2019; 41:225-247. [PMID: 30171477 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-018-0179-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, noncoding RNA species that play crucial roles across many biological processes and in the pathogenesis of major diseases, including cancer. Recent studies suggest that the expression of miRNA is altered by certain environmental chemicals, including metals, organic pollutants, cigarette smoke, pesticides and carcinogenic drugs. In addition, extensive studies have indicated the existence and importance of miRNA in different cancers, suggesting that cancer-related miRNAs could serve as potential markers for chemically induced cancers. The altered expression of miRNA was considered to be a vital pathogenic role in xenobiotic-induced cancer development. However, the significance of miRNA in the etiology of cancer and the exact mechanisms by which environmental factors alter miRNA expression remain relatively unexplored. Hence, understanding the interaction of miRNAs with environmental chemicals will provide important information on mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of chemically induced cancers, and effectively diagnose and treat human cancers resulting from chronic or acute carcinogen exposure. This study presents the current evidence that the miRNA deregulation induced by various chemical carcinogens, different cancers caused by environmental carcinogens and the potentially related genes in the onset or progression of cancer. For each carcinogen, the specifically expressed miRNA may be considered as the early biomarkers of the cancer process. In this review, we also summarize various target genes of the altered miRNA, oncogenes or anti-oncogenes, and the existing evidence regarding the gene regulation mechanisms of cancer caused by environmentally induced miRNA alteration. The future perspective of miRNA may become attractive targets for the diagnosis and treatment of carcinogen-induced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Li
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xia Huo
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511486, Guangdong, China
| | - Chand Basha Davuljigari
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingyuan Dai
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511486, Guangdong, China
| | - Xijin Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China.
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34
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Liu E, Sun X, Li J, Zhang C. miR‑30a‑5p inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of melanoma cells by targeting SOX4. Mol Med Rep 2018; 18:2492-2498. [PMID: 29901141 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA (miR)‑30a‑5p has been reported to suppress the progression of hepatocellular cancer, renal cell carcinoma, oral cancer and gastric cancer. However, whether miR‑30a‑5p is involved in the regulation of melanoma remains unclear. The present study revealed that miR‑30a‑5p was downregulated in melanoma tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR‑30a‑5p significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of melanoma cells in vitro. In addition, ectopic expression of miR‑30a‑5p delayed tumor growth in vivo. In terms of mechanism, miR‑30a‑5p targeted sex determining region Y‑box 4 (SOX4) and impeded the expression of SOX4 in melanoma cells. In addition, SOX4 was upregulated in melanoma tissues and cell lines when compared with normal tissues or cells. Furthermore, overexpression of SOX4 significantly rescued the proliferation, migration and invasion of melanoma cells transfected with miR‑30a‑5p mimics. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that miR‑30a‑5p suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of melanoma cells in SOX4‑dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erbiao Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shanxian Central Hospital, Heze, Shandong 274300, P.R. China
| | - Xiyan Sun
- Department of Oncology, Shanxian Central Hospital, Heze, Shandong 274300, P.R. China
| | - Jinping Li
- Department of Medicine, Shanxian Central Hospital, Heze, Shandong 274300, P.R. China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Shanxian Central Hospital, Heze, Shandong 274300, P.R. China
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35
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Polo A, Marchese S, De Petro G, Montella M, Ciliberto G, Budillon A, Costantini S. Identifying a panel of genes/proteins/miRNAs modulated by arsenicals in bladder, prostate, kidney cancers. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10395. [PMID: 29991691 PMCID: PMC6039466 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28739-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Arsenic and arsenic-derivative compounds, named as arsenicals, represent a worldwide problem for their effect on the human health and, in particular, for their capability to increase the risk of developing cancer such as kidney, bladder and prostate cancer. The main source of arsenical exposure is drinking water. Nowadays, it is well known that the chronic exposure to arsenicals leads to a series of epigenetic alterations that have a role in arsenic-induced effects on human health including cancer. Based on these observations, the aim of our study was to select by network analysis the genes/proteins/miRNAs implicated in kidney, bladder and prostate cancer development upon arsenical exposure. From this analysis we identified: (i) the nodes linking the three molecular networks specific for kidney, bladder and prostate cancer; (ii) the relative HUB nodes (RXRA, MAP3K7, NR3C1, PABPC1, NDRG1, RELA and CTNNB1) that link the three cancer networks; (iii) the miRNAs able to target these HUB nodes. In conclusion, we highlighted a panel of potential molecules related to the molecular mechanisms of arsenical-induced cancerogenesis and suggest their utility as biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Polo
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchese
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giuseppina De Petro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Traslazionale, Università di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Montella
- Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Directorate, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Regina Elena", Roma, Italy
| | - Alfredo Budillon
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Susan Costantini
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy.
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Marchese S, Polo A, Ariano A, Velotto S, Costantini S, Severino L. Aflatoxin B1 and M1: Biological Properties and Their Involvement in Cancer Development. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:E214. [PMID: 29794965 PMCID: PMC6024316 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10060214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxins are fungal metabolites found in feeds and foods. When the ruminants eat feedstuffs containing Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), this toxin is metabolized and Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is excreted in milk. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified AFB1 and AFM1 as human carcinogens belonging to Group 1 and Group 2B, respectively, with the formation of DNA adducts. In the last years, some epidemiological studies were conducted on cancer patients aimed to evaluate the effects of AFB1 and AFM1 exposure on cancer cells in order to verify the correlation between toxin exposure and cancer cell proliferation and invasion. In this review, we summarize the activation pathways of AFB1 and AFM1 and the data already reported in literature about their correlation with cancer development and progression. Moreover, considering that few data are still reported about what genes/proteins/miRNAs can be used as damage markers due to AFB1 and AFM1 exposure, we performed a bioinformatic analysis based on interaction network and miRNA predictions to identify a panel of genes/proteins/miRNAs that can be used as targets in further studies for evaluating the effects of the damages induced by AFB1 and AFM1 and their capacity to induce cancer initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Marchese
- Unità di Farmacologia e Tossicologia-Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", 80138 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Andrea Polo
- Unità di Farmacologia Sperimentale, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Andrea Ariano
- Unità di Farmacologia e Tossicologia-Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", 80138 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Velotto
- Unità di Farmacologia e Tossicologia-Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", 80138 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Susan Costantini
- Unità di Farmacologia Sperimentale, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Lorella Severino
- Unità di Farmacologia e Tossicologia-Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", 80138 Napoli, Italy.
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37
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Falzone L, Scola L, Zanghì A, Biondi A, Di Cataldo A, Libra M, Candido S. Integrated analysis of colorectal cancer microRNA datasets: identification of microRNAs associated with tumor development. Aging (Albany NY) 2018; 10:1000-1014. [PMID: 29779016 PMCID: PMC5990389 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Currently, no effective early diagnostic biomarkers are available for colorectal carcinoma. Therefore, there is a need to discover new molecules able to identify pre-cancerous lesions. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been associated with the onset of specific pathologies, thus the identification of miRNAs associated to colorectal cancer may be used to detect this pathology at early stages. On these bases, the expression levels of miRNAs were analyzed to compare the miRNAs expression levels of colorectal cancer samples and normal tissues in several miRNA datasets. This analysis revealed a group of 19 differentially expressed miRNAs. To establish the interaction between miRNAs and the most altered genes in CRC, the mirDIP gene target analysis was performed in such group of 19 differentially expressed miRNAs. To recognize miRNAs able to activate or inhibit genes and pathways involved in colorectal cancer development DIANA-mirPath prediction analysis was applied. Overall, these analyses showed that the up-regulated hsa-miR-183-5p and hsa-miR-21-5p, and the down-regulated hsa-miR-195-5p and hsa-miR-497-5p were directly related to colorectal cancer through the interaction with the Mismatch Repair pathway and Wnt, RAS, MAPK, PI3K, TGF-β and p53 signaling pathways involved in cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Falzone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Letizia Scola
- Department of Pathobiology and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Palermo, Palermo 90127, Italy
| | - Antonino Zanghì
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technology "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Antonio Biondi
- Department of General Surgery, Vittorio Emanuele Hospital, University of Catania, Catania 95124, Italy
- Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer (PreDiCT), University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Cataldo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technology "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania 95125, Italy
- Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer (PreDiCT), University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
- Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer (PreDiCT), University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Saverio Candido
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
- Research Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer (PreDiCT), University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
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Gene Expression Profiling in Behcet's Disease Indicates an Autoimmune Component in the Pathogenesis of the Disease and Opens New Avenues for Targeted Therapy. J Immunol Res 2018; 2018:4246965. [PMID: 29850627 PMCID: PMC5941805 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4246965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Behçet disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory multisystem disease characterized by oral and genital ulcers, uveitis, and skin lesions. Disease etiopathogenesis is still unclear. We aim to elucidate some aspects of BD pathogenesis and to identify specific gene signatures in peripheral blood cells (PBCs) of patients with active disease using novel gene expression and network analysis. 179 genes were modulated in 10 PBCs of BD patients when compared to 10 healthy donors. Among differentially expressed genes the top enriched gene function was immune response, characterized by upregulation of Th17-related genes and type I interferon- (IFN-) inducible genes. Th17 polarization was confirmed by FACS analysis. The transcriptome identified gene classes (vascular damage, blood coagulation, and inflammation) involved in the pathogenesis of the typical features of BD. Following network analysis, the resulting interactome showed 5 highly connected regions (clusters) enriched in T and B cell activation pathways and 2 clusters enriched in type I IFN, JAK/STAT, and TLR signaling pathways, all implicated in autoimmune diseases. We report here the first combined analysis of the transcriptome and interactome in PBCs of BD patients in the active stage of disease. This approach generates useful insights in disease pathogenesis and suggests an autoimmune component in the origin of BD.
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