High expression of nucleoporin 133 mRNA in bone marrow CD138+ cells is a poor prognostic factor in multiple myeloma

Hypoxia–Immune-Related Gene SLC19A1 Serves as a Potential Biomarker for Prognosis in Multiple Myeloma

Background

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable malignant tumor of plasma cells. Increasing evidence has reported that hypoxia and immune status contribute to the progression of MM. In this research, the prognostic value of the hypoxia–immune-related gene SLC19A1 in MM was evaluated by bioinformatics analysis.

Method

RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data along with clinical information on MM were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Consistent clustering analysis and ESTIMATE algorithms were performed to establish the MM sample subgroups related to hypoxia and immune status, respectively, based on the GSE24080 dataset. The differentially expressed analysis was performed to identify the hypoxia–immune-related genes. Subsequently, a hypoxia–immune-gene risk signature for MM patients was constructed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, which was also verified in the GSE4581 dataset. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of SLC19A1 was determined using qRT-PCR in 19 MM patients, and the correlations between the genetic expression of SLC19A1 and clinical features were further analyzed.

Result

A total of 47 genes were identified as hypoxia–immune-related genes for MM. Among these genes, SLC19A1 was screened to construct a risk score model that had better predictive power for MM. The constructed prognostic signature based on SLC19A1 was verified in the GSE4581 dataset. All independent prognostic factors (age, β₂-microglobulin, LDH, albumin, MRI, and gene risk score) were used to develop a nomogram that showed a better performance for predicting the survival probability of MM patients for 1–5 years. Furthermore, SLC19A1 was highly expressed in newly diagnosed and relapsed MM patients, and high expression of SLC19A1 is correlated with higher bone marrow aspiration plasma cells and β₂-microglobulin levels in MM patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our results suggest that SLC19A1 is aberrantly expressed in MM and highly expressed SLC19A1 might be a biomarker correlated with inferior prognosis. More importantly, we identified SLC19A1 as a hypoxia–immune-related gene in MM. Future functional and mechanistic studies will further clarify the roles of SLC19A1 in MM.

New Insights into YES-Associated Protein Signaling Pathways in Hematological Malignancies: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges

Simple Summary

YES-associated protein (YAP) is a co-transcriptional activator that binds to transcriptional factors to increase the rate of transcription of a set of genes, and it can intervene in the onset and progression of different tumors. Most of the data in the literature refer to the effects of the YAP system in solid neoplasms. In this review, we analyze the possibility that YAP can also intervene in hematological neoplasms such as lymphomas, multiple myeloma, and acute and chronic leukemias, modifying the phenomena of cell proliferation and cell death. The possibilities of pharmacological intervention related to the YAP system in an attempt to use its modulation therapeutically are also discussed.

Abstract

The Hippo/YES-associated protein (YAP) signaling pathway is a cell survival and proliferation-control system with its main activity that of regulating cell growth and organ volume. YAP operates as a transcriptional coactivator in regulating the onset, progression, and treatment response in numerous human tumors. Moreover, there is evidence suggesting the involvement of YAP in the control of the hematopoietic system, in physiological conditions rather than in hematological diseases. Nevertheless, several reports have proposed that the effects of YAP in tumor cells are cell-dependent and cell-type-determined, even if YAP usually interrelates with extracellular signaling to stimulate the onset and progression of tumors. In the present review, we report the most recent findings in the literature on the relationship between the YAP system and hematological neoplasms. Moreover, we evaluate the possible therapeutic use of the modulation of the YAP system in the treatment of malignancies. Given the effects of the YAP system in immunosurveillance, tumorigenesis, and chemoresistance, further studies on interactions between the YAP system and hematological malignancies will offer very relevant information for the targeting of these diseases employing YAP modifiers alone or in combination with chemotherapy drugs.

MUTYH is associated with hepatocarcinogenesis in a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis mouse model

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related HCC is associated with oxidative stress. However, the mechanisms underlying the development of NASH-related HCC is unclear. MUTYH is one of the enzymes that is involved in repair of oxidative DNA damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MUTYH and NASH-related hepatocarcinogenesis. MUTYH wild-type (Mutyh^+/+), heterozygous (Mutyh^+/-), and MUTYH-null (Mutyh^-/-) mice were fed a high-fat high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet or HFHC + high iron diet (20 mice per group) for 9 months. Five of 20 Mutyh^-/- mice fed an HFHC + high iron diet developed liver tumors, and they developed more liver tumors than other groups (especially vs. Mutyh^+/+ fed an HFHC diet, P = 0.0168). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed significantly higher accumulation of oxidative stress markers in mice fed an HFHC + high iron diet. The gene expression profiles in the non-tumorous hepatic tissues were compared between wild-type mice that developed no liver tumors and MUTYH-null mice that developed liver tumors. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis identified the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and increased expression of c-Myc in MUTYH-null liver. These findings suggest that MUTYH deficiency is associated with hepatocarcinogenesis in patients with NASH with hepatic iron accumulation.

Emerging Insights Into the Role of the Hippo Pathway in Multiple Myeloma and Associated Bone Disease

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma-cell dyscrasia with numerous treatment options currently available; however, drug resistance is usually inevitable, so there is a constant need for novel treatment approaches. The Hippo pathway has emerged as an important mediator of oncogenesis in solid tumors. More recently, its key role in regulating apoptosis and mediating resistance in MM and other hematologic malignancies has been demonstrated in preclinical studies, which provides a strong basis for further clinical investigation. The Hippo pathway is also implicated in the pathogenesis of MM-induced bone disease, as it regulates both osteoblast and osteoclast function. We provide an overview of the available data regarding the role of the Hippo signaling components in the pathophysiology of MM. A better understanding of the underlying interactions at the molecular and cellular levels will lead to novel and promising treatment approaches.