1
|
Koushki M, Amiri-Dashatan N, Rezaei-Tavirani M, Robati RM, Fateminasab F, Rahimi S, Razzaghi Z, Farahani M. Screening the critical protein subnetwork to delineate potential mechanisms and protective agents associated with arsenic-induced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A toxicogenomic study. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 185:114451. [PMID: 38219847 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies show that complex mechanisms are involved in arsenic-induced malignant transformation of cells. This study aimed to decipher molecular mechanisms associated with arsenic-induced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and suggest potential protective factors. RNA-seq-based differentially expressed genes between arsenic-exposed human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and controls were used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and discover critical subnetwork-based mechanisms. Protective compounds against arsenic toxicity were determined and their target interactions in the core sub-network were identified by the comparative toxicogenomic database (CTD). The binding affinity between the effective factor and target was calculated by molecular docking. A total of 15 key proteins were screened out as critical arsenic-responsive subnetwork (FN1, IL-1A, CCN2, PECAM1, FGF5, EDN1, FGF1, PXDN, DNAJB9, XBP1, ERN1, PDIA4, DNAJB11, FOS, PDIA6) and 7 effective protective agents were identified (folic acid, quercetin, zinc, acetylcysteine, methionine, catechin, selenium). The GeneMANIA predicted detailed interactions of the subnetwork and revealed terms related to unfolded protein response as the main processes. FN1, IL1A and CCN2, as top significant genes, had good docking affinity with folic acid and quercetin, as selected key compounds. Integration of gene expression and protein-protein interaction related to arsenic exposure in cSCC explored the potential mechanisms and protective agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Koushki
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Nasrin Amiri-Dashatan
- Zanjan Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mostafa Rezaei-Tavirani
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza M Robati
- Skin Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Dermatology, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Fateminasab
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, 47416-95447, Iran
| | - Shadi Rahimi
- Division of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Zahra Razzaghi
- Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Farahani
- Skin Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Crosstalk between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Cancer Stem Cells Reveals a Novel Stemness-Related Signature to Predict Prognosis and Immunotherapy Responses for Bladder Cancer Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054760. [PMID: 36902193 PMCID: PMC10003512 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) maintain bladder cancer (BCa) stemness and facilitate the progression, metastasis, drug resistance, and prognosis. Therefore, we aimed to decipher the communication networks, develop a stemness-related signature (Stem. Sig.), and identify a potential therapeutic target. BCa single-cell RNA-seq datasets (GSE130001 and GSE146137) were used to identify MSCs and CSCs. Pseudotime analysis was performed by Monocle. Stem. Sig. was developed by analyzing the communication network and gene regulatory network (GRN) that were decoded by NicheNet and SCENIC, respectively. The molecular features of the Stem. Sig. were evaluated in TCGA-BLCA and two PD-(L)1 treated datasets (IMvigor210 and Rose2021UC). A prognostic model was constructed based on a 101 machine-learning framework. Functional assays were performed to evaluate the stem traits of the hub gene. Three subpopulations of MSCs and CSCs were first identified. Based on the communication network, the activated regulons were found by GRN and regarded as the Stem. Sig. Following unsupervised clustering, two molecular subclusters were identified and demonstrated distinct cancer stemness, prognosis, immunological TME, and response to immunotherapy. Two PD-(L)1 treated cohorts further validated the performance of Stem. Sig. in prognosis and immunotherapeutic response prediction. A prognostic model was then developed, and a high-risk score indicated a poor prognosis. Finally, the hub gene SLC2A3 was found exclusively upregulated in extracellular matrix-related CSCs, predicting prognosis, and shaping an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Functional assays uncovered the stem traits of SLC2A3 in BCa by tumorsphere formation and western blotting. The Stem. Sig. derived from MSCs and CSCs can predict prognosis and response to immunotherapy for BCa. Besides, SLC2A3 may serve as a promising stemness target facilitating cancer effective management.
Collapse
|
3
|
Li Y, Yang S, Liu Y, Yang S. Mice with Trp53 and Rb1 deficiency in chondrocytes spontaneously develop chondrosarcoma via overactivation of YAP signaling. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:570. [PMID: 35760773 PMCID: PMC9237030 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04916-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Chondrosarcoma (CHS) is a rare type of soft sarcoma with increased production of cartilage matrix arising from soft bone tissues. Currently, surgical resection is the primary clinical treatment for chondrosarcoma due to the poor response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the therapeutic effect is not satisfactory due to the higher local recurrence rate. Thus, management and elucidation of the pathological mechanism of chondrosarcoma remain an ongoing challenge, and the development of effective chondrosarcoma mouse models and treatment options are urgently needed. Here, we generated a new transgenic chondrosarcoma model by double conditional deletions of Trp53 and Rb1 in chondrocyte lineage which spontaneously caused spinal chondrosarcoma and lung metastasis. Bioinformatic analysis of the human soft sarcoma database showed that Trp53 and Rb1 genes had higher mutations, reaching up to approximately 33.5% and 8.7%, respectively. Additionally, Trp53 and Rb1 signatures were decreased in the human and mouse chondrosarcoma tissues. Mechanistically, we found that YAP expression and activity were significantly increased in mouse Col2-Cre;Trp53f/f/Rb1f/f chondrosarcoma tissues compared to the adjacent normal cartilage. Knockdown of YAP in primary chondrosarcoma cells significantly inhibited chondrosarcoma proliferation, invasion, and tumorsphere formation. Chondrocyte lineage ablation of YAP delayed chondrosarcoma progression and lung metastasis in Col2-Cre;Trp53f/f/Rb1f/f mice. Moreover, we found that metformin served as a YAP inhibitor, which bound to the activity area of YAP protein, and inhibited chondrosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and progression in vitro and significantly suppressed chondrosarcoma formation in vivo. Collectively, this study identifies the inhibition of YAP may be an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of chondrosarcoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Department of Basic & Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Shuting Yang
- Department of Basic & Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, 116023, Dalian, China
| | - Shuying Yang
- Department of Basic & Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- The Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yeger H, Perbal B. The CCN axis in cancer development and progression. J Cell Commun Signal 2021; 15:491-517. [PMID: 33877533 PMCID: PMC8642525 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-021-00618-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the authors first reviewed this subject in 2016 significant progress has been documented in the CCN field with advances made in the understanding of how members of the CCN family of proteins, CCN1-6, contribute to the pathogenesis and progression, positive and negative, of a larger variety of cancers. As termed matricellular proteins, and more recently the connective communication network, it has become clearer that members of the CCN family interact complexly with other proteins in the extracellular microenvironment, membrane signaling proteins, and can also operate intracellularly at the transcriptional level. In this review we expand on this earlier information providing new detailed information and insights that appropriate a much greater involvement and importance of their role in multiple aspects of cancer. Despite all the new information many more questions have been raised and intriguing results generated that warrant greater investigation. In order to permit the reader to smoothly integrate the new information we discuss all relevant CCN members in the context of cancer subtypes. We have harmonized the nomenclature with CCN numbering for easier comparisons. Finally, we summarize what new has been learned and provide a perspective on how our knowledge about CCN1-6 is being used to drive new initiatives on cancer therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Herman Yeger
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Research Institute, SickKids, Toronto, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Huang ZM, Wang H, Ji ZG. Bladder mesenchymal stromal cell-derived exosomal miRNA-217 modulates bladder cancer cell survival through Hippo-YAP pathway. Inflamm Res 2021; 70:959-969. [PMID: 34390377 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-021-01494-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Donor cell-derived exosomes regulate recipient cell functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of human normal bladder stromal cell (hBSC) derived exosomal miR-217 on bladder cell cancer proliferation and migration. METHODS Human BSCs were transfected with miR-217 mimic or inhibitor and hBSC-derived exosomes were isolated. Human bladder cancer cell lines (T24 and 5367) were co-cultured with hBSC-derived exosomal miR-217 mimic or inhibitor. Proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of the bladder cancer cells were assessed by Edu assay, Transwell migration assay, and Annexin V assay. RESULTS Expression of miR-217 was significantly higher in the T24 and 5367 cell lines (P < 0.01). Exosomal miR-217 mimic enhanced proliferation and migration of T24 and 5367 cells, but inhibited apoptosis of the cells (P < 0.01); in contrast, exosomal miR-217 inhibitor suppressed proliferation and migration but stimulated apoptosis of the two cancer cell lines (P < 0.01). Moreover, exosomal miR-217 mimic stimulated YAP and its target proteins including Cyr61, CTGF, and ANKRD1 (P < 0.01), and in contrast, exosomal miR-217 inhibitor suppressed YAP and its target proteins (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION These findings suggested that hBSC-derived exosomal miR-217 may act as oncogene in bladder cancer cells, and that Hippo-YAP signaling pathway maybe the target for miR-217 in the bladder cancer cell lines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Ming Huang
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Wangfujing, Dongcheng, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Hai Wang
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Wangfujing, Dongcheng, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Ji
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Wangfujing, Dongcheng, Beijing, 100730, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jia Q, Xu B, Zhang Y, Ali A, Liao X. CCN Family Proteins in Cancer: Insight Into Their Structures and Coordination Role in Tumor Microenvironment. Front Genet 2021; 12:649387. [PMID: 33833779 PMCID: PMC8021874 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.649387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The crosstalk between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), triggers a variety of critical signaling pathways and promotes the malignant progression of cancer. The success rate of cancer therapy through targeting single molecule of this crosstalk may be extremely low, whereas co-targeting multiple components could be complicated design and likely to have more side effects. The six members of cellular communication network (CCN) family proteins are scaffolding proteins that may govern the TME, and several studies have shown targeted therapy of CCN family proteins may be effective for the treatment of cancer. CCN protein family shares similar structures, and they mutually reinforce and neutralize each other to serve various roles that are tightly regulated in a spatiotemporal manner by the TME. Here, we review the current knowledge on the structures and roles of CCN proteins in different types of cancer. We also analyze CCN mRNA expression, and reasons for its diverse relationship to prognosis in different cancers. In this review, we conclude that the discrepant functions of CCN proteins in different types of cancer are attributed to diverse TME and CCN truncated isoforms, and speculate that targeting CCN proteins to rebalance the TME could be a potent anti-cancer strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingan Jia
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Binghui Xu
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yaoyao Zhang
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Arshad Ali
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xia Liao
- Department of Nutrition, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen Z, Zhang N, Chu HY, Yu Y, Zhang ZK, Zhang G, Zhang BT. Connective Tissue Growth Factor: From Molecular Understandings to Drug Discovery. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:593269. [PMID: 33195264 PMCID: PMC7658337 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.593269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a key signaling and regulatory molecule involved in different biological processes, such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and wound healing, as well as multiple pathologies, such as tumor development and tissue fibrosis. Although the underlying mechanisms of CTGF remain incompletely understood, a commonly accepted theory is that the interactions between different protein domains in CTGF and other various regulatory proteins and ligands contribute to its variety of functions. Here, we highlight the structure of each domain of CTGF and its biology functions in physiological conditions. We further summarized main diseases that are deeply influenced by CTGF domains and the potential targets of these diseases. Finally, we address the advantages and disadvantages of current drugs targeting CTGF and provide the perspective for the drug discovery of the next generation of CTGF inhibitors based on aptamers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hang Yin Chu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zong-Kang Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bao-Ting Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|