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Lin S, Sun Y, Cao C, Zhu Z, Xu Y, Liu B, Hu B, Peng T, Zhi W, Xu M, Ding W, Ren F, Ma D, Li G, Wu P. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing reveals heterogenous microenvironments and specific drug response between cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. EBioMedicine 2023; 97:104846. [PMID: 37879219 PMCID: PMC10618708 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104846] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and adenocarcinoma (CAde) are two major pathological types of cervical cancer (CC), but their high-resolution heterogeneity of tumor and immune microenvironment remains elusive. METHODS Here, we performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) from five CSCC and three CAde samples, and systematically outlined their specific transcriptome atlas. FINDINGS We found CD8+ T cells in CSCC were more cytotoxic but lower exhausted compared to those in CAde, and phagocytic MRC1+ macrophages were specifically enriched in CSCC. Interestingly, we discovered that pro-tumoral cancer-associated myofibroblasts (myoCAFs) and cancer-associated vascular-fibroblasts (vCAFs) were more abundant in CSCC, and further verified their pro-metastatic roles in vitro. Furthermore, we also identified some specific chemotherapy drugs for CSCC (Dasatinib and Doramapimod) and CAde (Pyrimethamine and Lapatinib) by revealing their heterogeneity in transcriptomic profiles of malignant epithelial cells, and further verified their specific sensitivity in cell lines and constructed CC-derived organoids. Cell-cell communication networks revealed that the pathways of NRG1-ERBB2, and FN1-ITAG3 were specific for CAde and CSCC, respectively, which may partly explain the specificities of identified chemotherapy drugs. INTERPRETATION Our study described the immune heterogeneity and specific cellular interactions between CSCC and CAde, which could provide insights for uncovering pathogenesis and designing personalized treatment. FUNDINGS National Key R&D Program of China (2021YFC2701201), National Natural Science Foundation of China (82072895, 82141106, 82103134, 81903114).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shitong Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, PR China; Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuanhui Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China; Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Canhui Cao
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhixian Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China; Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yashi Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, PR China; Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Binghan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, PR China; Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Bai Hu
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ting Peng
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wenhua Zhi
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Miaochun Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, PR China; Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wencheng Ding
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Fang Ren
- Department of Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ding Ma
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Guoliang Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China; Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Peng Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, PR China; Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Song C, Zhang J, Xu C, Gao M, Li N, Geng Q. The critical role of γ-secretase and its inhibitors in cancer and cancer therapeutics. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:5089-5103. [PMID: 37928268 PMCID: PMC10620818 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.87334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As a multi-substrate transmembrane protease, γ-secretase exists widely in various cells. It controls multiple important cellular activities through substrate cleavage. γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) play a role in cancer inhibition by blocking Notch cleavage, and are considered as potential therapeutic strategies for cancer. Currently, GSIs have encouraging performance in preclinical models, yet this success does not translate well in clinical trials. In recent years, a number of breakthrough discoveries have shown us the promise of targeting γ-secretase for the treatment of cancer. Here, we integrate a large amount of data from γ-secretase and its inhibitors and cancer in nearly 30 years, comb and discuss the close connection between γ-secretase and cancer, as well as the potential and problems of current GSIs in cancer treatment. We analyze the possible reasons for the failure performance of current GSIs in clinical trials, and make recommendations for future research areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congkuan Song
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinjin Zhang
- Department of Emergency, Taihe Hospital, Shiyan, China
| | - Chenzhen Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Minglang Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Geng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Pi Y, Sun F, Zhang Z, Liu X, Lou G. A Novel Notch-Related Gene Signature for Prognosis and Immune Response Prediction in Ovarian Cancer. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1277. [PMID: 37512088 PMCID: PMC10385113 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59071277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Notch is a fascinating signaling pathway. It is extensively involved in tumor growth, cancer stem cells, metastasis, and treatment resistance and plays important roles in metabolic regulation, tumor microenvironment, and tumor immunity. However, the role of Notch in ovarian cancer (OC) has yet to be fully understood. Therefore, this study systematically described the expression, mutation, and copy number variation of genes in the Notch signaling pathway in OC and evaluated the relationship between gene mutation and Overall Survival (OS) prognosis. Materials and Methods: Notch risk score (NTRS) was established by univariate Cox regression analysis combined with Lasso regression analysis, and the efficacy of NTRS in predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response in patients with OC was verified. We further assessed the correlations of NTRS with clinical features, immune infiltration level, immune checkpoint expression, and immune characteristics. Additionally, differential expression and functions of the fourteen signature genes were confirmed via vitro assays. Results: The results showed that Notch genes (NTGs) were markedly differentiated between tumor and normal tissues, which may help to explain the high heterogeneity in the biological characteristics and therapeutic outcomes of human OC. A Notch risk (NTR) prognostic model based on 11 key NTGs was successfully constructed. Tumors with high Notch risk scores (NTRS) were independently associated with shorter overall survival and poorer immunotherapy outcomes. We further assessed the correlations of NTRS with immune characteristics. The results showed that NTGs play a key role in regulating the tumor immune microenvironment. Additionally, we validated the baseline and induced expressions of 14 prognosis-related NTGs in our own OC samples. In vitro assays confirmed that the knockdown of NCOR2 and APH1B and overexpression of HEY2 and SKP2 could inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of OC cells. Conclusions: These findings emphasize that Notch multilayer changes are associated with the prognosis of patients with OC and the characteristics of immune cell infiltration. Our predictive signature may predict the prognosis and immunotherapy response of OC patients in an independent manner. NCOR2, APH1B, HEY2, and SKP2 may more prominently represent important indicators to improve patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Pi
- Department of Gynecology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Fusheng Sun
- Department of Gynecology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Zhaocong Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Harbin Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Ge Lou
- Department of Gynecology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150086, China
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Li S, Wang H, Ma R, Wang L. Schisandrin B inhibits epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and stemness of large‑cell lung cancer cells and tumorigenesis in xenografts via inhibiting the NF‑κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Oncol Rep 2021; 45:115. [PMID: 33907830 PMCID: PMC8107653 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world, resulting in numerous cancer-associated deaths. The properties of cancer stem cells (CSCs) are important for the initiation and deterioration of lung cancer. Schisandrin B (SchB), an active compound extracted from Schisandra chinensis, exerts anticancer effects in various malignancies, including lung cancer. Nevertheless, the potential of SchB in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and CSC features of large-cell lung cancer remains unclear. The present study established cancer stem-like cells derived from large-cell lung cancer cells, NCI-H460 and H661, and revealed that SchB inhibited the viability of cancer stem-like cells at concentrations of ≥40 µmol/l. Moreover, SchB prominently inhibited cell migration, invasion and EMT. Sphere-forming assays and western blotting demonstrated that the stemness of cancer stem-like cells was alleviated by SchB treatment. Mechanistically, the current findings revealed that SchB contributed to the suppression of the NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Notably, further results revealed that the malignant behaviors of NCI-H460-CSCs induced by the activation of the NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways were suppressed by SchB treatment. Consistently, the inhibitory role of SchB in EMT and CSC activities, as well as in the activation of the NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways, was confirmed in vivo. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that SchB exerted inhibitory effects on large-cell lung cancer cells via targeting the NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways, suggesting that SchB may act as a potential therapeutic drug for large-cell lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuping Li
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Ruidong Ma
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
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