Interferon-gamma inducible protein 10 (IP10) induced cisplatin resistance of HCC after liver transplantation through ER stress signaling pathway

Cancer Immunology: Impact of Radioembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma on Immune Response Modulation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent primary liver cancer and the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is increasingly recognized as having a central role in HCC carcinogenesis, with factors such as tumor and immune cell interactions, cytokines, and extracellular matrix serving key roles. Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is a locoregional therapy for HCC that not only has a direct tumoricidal effect, but induces an immune response against tumor cells with subsequent immunogenic cell death. This TARE-induced tumor immunogenicity occurs through enhancement of tumor-associated antigen expression, as well as recruitment and diversification of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. In addition, immunologically related biomarkers, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte count, and cytokine levels, may be useful tools to predict outcomes after TARE. Early data are promising regarding the potential synergistic benefit from treatment algorithms that combine TARE and immunotherapies, and interest is growing in the clinical application of such combinations. This review provides an overview of cancer immunology, summarizes the available data regarding the biologic effects of TARE on local and systemic immune responses, and explores the potential role of the combination of TARE and immunotherapy for HCC.

CCL23 in Balancing the Act of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Antitumor Immunity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a cellular process in response to stress stimuli in protecting functional activities. However, sustained hyperactive ER stress influences tumor growth and development. Hepatocytes are enriched with ER and highly susceptible to ER perturbations and stress, which contribute to immunosuppression and the development of aggressive and drug-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ER stress-induced inflammation and tumor-derived chemokines influence the immune cell composition at the tumor site. Consequently, a decrease in the CCL23 chemokine in hepatic tumors is associated with poor survival of HCC patients and could be a mechanism hepatic tumor cells use to evade the immune system. This article describes the prospective role of CCL23 in alleviating ER stress and its impact on the HCC tumor microenvironment in promoting antitumor immunity. Moreover, approaches to reactivate CCL23 combined with immune checkpoint blockade or chemotherapy drugs may provide novel opportunities to target hepatocellular carcinoma.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress: Multiple regulatory roles in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a basic cellular stress response that maintains cellular protein homeostasis under endogenous or exogenous stimuli, which depends on the stimulus, its intensity, and action time. The ER produces a corresponding cascade reaction for crosstalk of adaptive and/or pro-death regulation with other organelles. Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most common malignant solid tumors with an extremely poor prognosis. Viral hepatitis infection, cirrhosis, and steatohepatitis are closely related to the occurrence and development of HCC, and ER stress has gradually been shown to be a major mechanism. Moreover, an increasing need for protein and lipid products and relative deficiencies of oxygen and nutrients for rapid proliferation and endoplasmic reticulum stress are undoubtedly involved. Therefore, to fully and comprehensively understand the regulatory role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the occurrence and progression of HCC is of vital importance to explore its pathogenesis and develop novel anti-cancer strategies.

METHODOLOGY

We searched for relevant publications in the PubMed databases using the keywords "Endoplasmic reticulum stress", "hepatocellular carcinoma" in last five years,and present an overview of the current knowledge that links ER stress and HCC, which includes carcinogenesis, progression, and anti-cancer strategies, and propose directions of future research.

RESULT

ER stress were confirmed to be multiple regulators or effectors of cancer, which also be confirmed to drive tumorigenesis and progression of HCC. Targeting ER stress signaling pathway and related molecules could play a critical role for anti-HCC and has become a research hotspot for anti-cancer in recent years.

CONCLUSION

ER stress are critical for the processes of the tumorigenesis and progression of tumors. For HCC, ER stress was associated with tumorigenesis, development, metastasis, angiogenesis and drug resistance, targeting ER stress has emerged as a potential anti-tumor strategy.

Doxorubicin-induced senescence promotes stemness and tumorigenicity in EpCAM-/CD133- nonstem cell population in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HuH-7

The therapeutic induction of senescence is a potential means to treat cancer, primarily acting through the induction of a persistent growth‐arrested state in tumors. However, recent studies have indicated that therapy‐induced senescence (TIS) in tumor cells allows for the prolonged survival of a subgroup of cells in a dormant state, with the potential to re‐enter the cell cycle along with an increased stemness gene expression. Residual cells after TIS with increased cancer stem cell phenotype may have profound implications for tumor aggressiveness and disease recurrence. Herein, we investigated senescence‐associated stemness in EpCAM+/CD133+ liver cancer stem cell and EpCAM−/CD133− nonstem cell populations in HuH7 cell line. We demonstrated that treatment with doxorubicin induces senescence in both cell populations, accompanied by a significant increase in the expression of reprogramming genes SOX2, KLF4, and c‐MYC as well as liver stemness‐related genes EpCAM, CK19, and ANXA3 and the multidrug resistance‐related gene ABCG2. Moreover, doxorubicin treatment significantly increased EpCAM + population in nonstem cells indicating senescence‐associated reprogramming of nonstem cell population. Also, Wnt/β‐catenin target genes were increased in these cells, while inhibition of this signaling pathway decreased stem cell gene expression. Importantly, Dox‐treated EpCAM−/CD133− nonstem cells had increased in vivo tumor‐forming ability. In addition, when SASP‐CM from Dox‐treated cells were applied onto hİPSC‐derived hepatocytes, senescence was induced in hepatocytes along with an increased expression of TGF‐β, KLF4, and AXIN2. Importantly, SASP‐CM was not able to induce senescence in Hep3B‐TR cells, a derivative line rendered resistant to TGF‐β signaling. Furthermore, ELISA experiments revealed that the SASP‐CM of Dox‐treated cells contain inflammatory cytokines IL8 and IP10. In summary, our findings further emphasize the importance of carefully dissecting the beneficial and detrimental aspects of prosenescence therapy in HCC and support the potential use of senolytic drugs in HCC treatment in order to eliminate adverse effects of TIS.

Thymoquinone Potentiated the Anticancer Effect of Cisplatin on Hepatic Tumorigenesis by Modulating Tissue Oxidative Stress and Endoplasmic GRP78/CHOP Signaling

Thymoquinone (TQ) combined with Cisplatin may augment its anticancer effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), through oxidative stress mitigation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein modulation. Fifty adult male Wistar albino rats were assigned into five equal experimental groups (n = 10); 1) Control, 2) diethylnitrosamine/carbon tetrachloride-induced liver tumorigenesis model (HCC), 3) Cisplatin (2 mg.kg^-1ip) treated rats, 4) Thymoquinone treated group (20 mg.kg^-1oral), and 5) group treated with both drugs as in Groups 3 and 4. Treatment regimens started following model confirmation and continued for 4 weeks. In the HCC model, we detected elevated ER chaperone glucose-regulated protein-78 (GRP78) and reduced C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP)-mediated apoptosis that was accompanied by the elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) marker and deteriorated liver functions. Our original results indicated that Thymoquinone potentiated the pro-apoptotic effect of cisplatin by modulating GRP78/CHOP signaling. Cisplatin/TQ reduced the elevated GRP78 and induced CHOP-mediated apoptosis in the diseased liver tissues compared to the HCC and Cisplatin treated groups. Cisplatin/TQ combination normalized AFP levels and improved liver functions compared to both HCC and cisplatin groups alone. In conclusion, Thymoquinone enhanced the efficacy of Cisplatin in HCC treatment by modulating the GRP78/CHOP/caspase-3 pathway. Thymoquinone is recommended to achieve greater therapeutic benefits and reduce the cisplatin hepatotoxicity in HCC management.

Glutathione Peroxidase 3 Delivered by hiPSC-MSCs Ameliorated Hepatic IR Injury via Inhibition of Hepatic Senescence

Background and Aims: Down-regulation of GPx3 accelerated hepatic senescence, which further caused overwhelming inflammation and severe liver graft injury. MSCs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-MSCs) have been developed as more efficient delivery vehicle with the property of injury tropism. Here, we aimed to explore the suppressive role of GPx3 in hepatic IR injury using novel delivery system of hiPSC-MSCs.

Methods: The mice IR injury model with partial hepatectomy was established. The engineered hiPSC-MSCs delivering GPx3 was constructed. All the mice were segregated into three groups. hiPSC-MSC-GPx3, hiPSC-MSC-pCDH (vector control) or PBS were injected via portal vein after reperfusion. Liver injury was evaluated by histological and serological test. Hepatic apoptosis was detected by Tunel staining and remnant liver regeneration was assessed by Ki67 staining. The role of hepatic senescence in liver graft injury was evaluated in rat orthotopic liver transplantation model. The suppressive effect of GPx3 on hepatic senescence was examined in mice IR injury model and confirmed in vitro. Hepatic senescence was detected by SA-β-Gal and P^16/ink4a staining.

Results: GPx3 can be successfully delivered by hiPSC-MSCs into liver tissues. Histological examination showed that hiPSC-MSC-GPx3 treatment significantly ameliorated hepatic IR injury post-operation. Significantly lower LDH (891.43±98.45 mU/mL, P<0.05) and AST (305.77±36.22 IU/L, P<0.01) were observed in hiPSC-MSC-GPx3 group compared with control groups. Less apoptotic hepatocytes were observed and the remnant liver regeneration was more active in hiPSC-MSC-GPx3 group. In rat orthotopic liver transplantation model, more senescent hepatocytes were observed in small-for-size liver graft, in which GPx3 expression was significantly compromised. In mice IR injury model, hiPSC-MSC-GPx3 significantly suppressed hepatic senescence. In addition, rGPx3 inhibited cellular senescence of liver cells in a dose dependent manner. Four candidate genes (CD44, Nox4, IFNG, SERPERINB2) were identified to be responsible for suppressive effect of GPx3 on hepatic senescence.

Conclusion: Engineered hiPSC-MSCs delivering GPx3 ameliorated hepatic IR injury via inhibition of hepatic senescence.

A hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier sensitized Cisplatin based chemotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background and Objective

Our previous study showed that liver graft injury not only promotes tumor recurrence, but also induces chemoresistance in recurrent HCC after liver transplantation. Recently, we found that the hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier“YQ23” significantly ameliorates hepatic IR injury and prevent tumor recurrence. Here, we intended to explore the novel therapeutic strategy using oxygen carrier “YQ23”to sensitize chemotherapy in HCC.

Methods

To investigate the role of YQ23 combined with Cisplatin, the proliferation of HCC cells was examined under combined treatment by MTT and colony formation. To explore the effect of YQ23 on sensitization of Cisplatin based chemotherapy, the orthotopic liver cancer model was established. To characterize the delivery of YQ23 in tumor tissue, the intravital imaging system was applied for longitudinal observation in ectopic liver cancer model. The distribution of YQ23 was examined by IVIS spectrum.

Results

YQ23 significantly suppressed the proliferation of HCC cells under Cisplatin treatment in a dose and time dependent manner. Moreover, YQ23 administration significantly sensitized Cisplatin based chemotherapy in orthotopic liver cancer model. Down-regulation of DHFR may be one of the reasons for YQ23 sensitizing Cisplatin based chemotherapy. Real-time intravital imaging showed that YQ23 accumulated in the tumor tissue and maintained as long as 3 days in ectopic liver cancer model. The IVIS spectrum examination showed that YQ23 distributed mainly at liver and bladder within the first 36 hours after administration in orthotopic liver cancer model.

Conclusion

YQ23 treatment may be a potential therapeutic strategy to sensitize chemotherapy in HCC.

The Clinical Significance and Potential Therapeutic Role of GPx3 in Tumor Recurrence after Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Our previous study showed that small-for-size liver graft may provide favorable micro-environment for tumor growth. GPx3, an anti-oxidant, not only attenuates oxidative stress, but also suppresses liver tumor growth in our recent study. Here, we aimed to characterize the clinical significance and explore the functional role of GPx3 in HCC recurrence after liver transplantation.

METHODS

To explore the association between GPx3 expression and HCC invasiveness, a rat orthotopic liver transplantation model with tumor development was established. To investigate the clinical relevance of GPx3, 105 HCC patients who underwent liver transplantation were recruited. The suppressive role of GPx3 in HCC cells was studied using wound healing, Matrigel invasion assay and lung metastasis model. The real-time intravital imaging system was applied to directly visualize the tumor cells invasion in a living animal. The underlying mechanism was further explored.

RESULTS

GPx3 was identified as a down-regulated protein in small-for-size liver graft and significantly associated with invasive phenotype of tumor growth in a rat model. Plasma GPx3 was significantly lower in small-for-size graft group post-transplantation (day1: 33 vs 1147; day3: 3209 vs 4459; day7: 303 vs 2506; mU/mL, P<0.05) in rat model. Clinically, the plasma GPx3 was significantly lower in the recipients with HCC recurrence post-transplantation (day1: 4.16 vs 8.99 µg/mL, P<0.001; day7: 3.86 vs 9.99 µg/mL, P<0.001). Furthermore, lower plasma GPx3 was identified as an independent predictor (HR=4.528, P=0.046) for poor overall survival post-transplantation. Over-expression of GPx3 significantly suppressed migration, invasiveness and metastasis of HCC cells. Real-time intravital imaging showed that GPx3 significantly suppressed HCC invasiveness in a live animal. GPx3 suppressed the tumor invasiveness through inhibition of JNK-cJun-MMP2 pathway.

CONCLUSION

GPx3 may possess prognostic and therapeutic value for HCC patients after liver transplantation.