NRP1 is a Prognostic Factor and Promotes the Growth and Migration of Cells in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Mechanism of postoperative recurrence and metastasis of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma and clinical prevention and treatment strategy

Intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma is a primary adenocarcinoma originating from intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells. The tumor has no capsule. At the early stage of the tumor, there are infiltration and metastasis along the lymphatic vessels, blood vessels, perineural space, and loose fibrous connective tissue, which are characterized by lymph node metastasis. Due to the absence of characteristic clinical manifestations and the lack of specific molecular markers for early diagnosis, the surgical resection rate is low and the postoperative tumor recurrence and metastasis rate is high. Low efficacy of chemoradiotherapy, molecular targeted drugs, and immunotherapy results in the poor prognosis. Further research of molecular pathology, gene function, and imaging technology can help elucidate the occurrence, recurrence, and metastasis mechanism of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma to improve its early diagnosis rate and precise clinical staging. Individualized precision treatment and prevention for the risk factors to reduce the recurrence and metastasis rate postoperatively are key to improving the patient prognosis.

Immune Checkpoint Neuropilins as Novel Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Pancreatic Cancer

The traditional immune checkpoint blockade therapy benefits some patients with cancer, but elicits no response in certain cancers, such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD); thus, novel checkpoints and effective targets are required. Here, we found that there was a higher Neuropilin (NRP) expression in tumor tissues as novel immune checkpoints, which was associated with poor prognosis and pessimistic responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. In the tumor microenvironment of PAAD samples, NRPs were widely expressed in tumor, immune and stromal cells. The relationship of NRPs with tumor immunological features in PAAD and pan-cancer was evaluated using bioinformatics methods; it was positively correlated with the infiltration of myeloid immune cells and the expression of most immune checkpoint genes. Bioinformatics analysis, in vitro and in vivo experiments suggested that NRPs exhibit potential immune-related and immune-independent pro-tumor effects. NRPs, especially NRP1, are attractive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancers, particularly PAAD.

Special Issue: Diagnostic and Predictive Tissue Markers in G.I. Cancers

The compelling advancements in systemic targeted therapies for cancer drastically changed the role of histopathological analyses in recent decades [...].

Neuropilin (NRPs) Related Pathological Conditions and Their Modulators

Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) represents one of the two homologous neuropilins (NRP, splice variants of neuropilin 2 are the other) found in all vertebrates. It forms a transmembrane glycoprotein distributed in many human body tissues as a (co)receptor for a variety of different ligands. In addition to its physiological role, it is also associated with various pathological conditions. Recently, NRP1 has been discovered as a coreceptor for the SARS-CoV-2 viral entry, along with ACE2, and has thus become one of the COVID-19 research foci. However, in addition to COVID-19, the current review also summarises its other pathological roles and its involvement in clinical diseases like cancer and neuropathic pain. We also discuss the diversity of native NRP ligands and perform a joint analysis. Last but not least, we review the therapeutic roles of NRP1 and introduce a series of NRP1 modulators, which are typical peptidomimetics or other small molecule antagonists, to provide the medicinal chemistry community with a state-of-the-art overview of neuropilin modulator design and NRP1 druggability assessment.

Neuropilin-1 as a Potential Biomarker of Prognosis and Invasive-Related Parameters in Liver and Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human Studies

Simple Summary

Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is a transmembrane protein which has had recently increased interest from cancer researchers. Liver cancer and colorectal cancer (CRC) are two of the most frequent and deadly tumors worldwide. Here, we assessed the prognostic, diagnostic and clinicopathological value of NRP1 in liver cancer and CRC patients by systematic searches in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library and a meta-analysis. Results obtained showed that NRP1 overexpression was significantly correlated with lower survival in liver cancer patients and with tumor development in hepatocarcinoma patients, and high levels of NRP1 were strongly correlated with an increased risk of vascular invasion in liver cancer and metastasis in CRC and liver tumors. Therefore, these findings could establish novel interest of NRP1 as a useful biomarker for patient prognosis as well as for invasive-related characteristics in patients with liver cancer or CRC.

Abstract

Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is a transmembrane protein involved in numerous cellular functions which has had increasing interest from cancer researchers. Liver cancer and colorectal cancer (CRC) are two of the most frequent and deadly tumors with a complex pharmacological framework. Here, we assessed the prognostic, diagnostic and clinicopathological value of NRP1 in liver cancer and CRC patients. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library databases for articles evaluating the NRP1 correlation with survival parameters, tumor development or clinicopathological features. Hazard ratios and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were extracted or estimated by Parmar method and pooled to evaluate the overall effect size with STATA 16 software. Heterogeneity was analyzed by chi-square-based Q test and I² statistic, along with meta-regression and subgroup analysis, and publication bias was assessed by funnel plot asymmetry and Egger’s test. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022307062). NRP1 overexpression was significantly correlated with lower survival in liver cancer patients and with tumor development in hepatocarcinoma patients, and was strongly correlated with an increased risk of vascular invasion in liver cancer and metastasis in CRC and liver tumors. These results support the role of NRP1 as a potential and useful biomarker in both types of cancer.

The Connection between MicroRNAs and Oral Cancer Pathogenesis: Emerging Biomarkers in Oral Cancer Management

Oral cancer is a common human malignancy that still maintains an elevated mortality rate despite scientific progress. Tumorigenesis is driven by altered gene expression patterns of proto-oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes. MicroRNAs, a class of short non-coding RNAs involved in gene regulation, seem to play important roles in oral cancer development, progression, and tumor microenvironment modulation. As properties of microRNAs render them stable in diverse liquid biopsies, together with their differential expression signature in cancer cells, these features place microRNAs at the top of promising biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic values. In this review, we highlight eight expression levels and functions of the most relevant microRNAs involved in oral cancer development, progression, and microenvironment sustainability. Furthermore, we emphasize the potential of using these small RNA species as non-invasive biomarkers for the early detection of oral cancerous lesions. Conclusively, we highlight the perspectives and limitations of microRNAs as novel diagnostic tools, as well as therapeutic models.

Neuropilin-1: A feasible link between liver pathologies and COVID-19

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has a tremendous impact on the health of millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, those suffering from previous pathological conditions are more vulnerable and tend to develop more severe disease upon infection with the new SARS-CoV-2. This coronavirus interacts with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor to invade the cells. Recently, another receptor, neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), has been reported to amplify the viral infection. Interestingly, NRP-1 is expressed in nonparenchymal liver cells and is related to and upregulated in a wide variety of liver-related pathologies. It has been observed that SARS-CoV-2 infection promotes liver injury through several pathways that may be influenced by the previous pathological status of the patient and liver expression of NRP-1. Moreover, coronavirus disease 2019 causes an inflammatory cascade called cytokine storm in patients with severe disease. This cytokine storm may influence liver sinusoidal-cell phenotype, facilitating viral invasion. In this review, the shreds of evidence linking NRP-1 with liver pathologies such as hepatocellular carcinoma, liver fibrosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and inflammatory disorders are discussed in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, the involvement of the infection-related cytokine storm in NRP-1 overexpression and the subsequent increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection are also analyzed. This review aims to shed some light on the involvement of liver NRP-1 during SARS-CoV-2 infection and emphasizes the possible involvement this receptor with the observed liver damage.

Knockdown of TRIM15 inhibits the activation of hepatic stellate cells

Liver fibrosis is a global public health problem, and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the main driving force for liver fibrosis. However, the activation mechanism of HSCs is still not fully understood. In this study, we screened out 854 differentially expressed genes [Log₂ fold change absolute: log2 FC(abs) ≥ 1] in activated LX-2 cells. Subsequently, we performed functional analyses of these differentially expressed genes. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that the target genes were mainly enriched in processes such as positive regulation of cell migration involved in sprouting angiogenesis, negative regulation of keratinocyte proliferation, and nuclear inclusion bodies. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome signaling pathway enrichment analysis revealed that dysregulated genes were involved in signaling pathways such as pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis and riboflavin metabolism. The microarray results were validated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, which indicated that the microarray results were reliable and that the tripartite motif containing 15 (TRIM15) had the highest absolute value of Log₂FC. Additionally, the effect of TRIM15 on the proliferation, migration, and activation of LX-2 cells was assessed using overexpression plasmids and siRNA transfections. TRIM15 promoted the proliferation and migration of LX-2 cells and positively regulated the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and type I collagen. Collectively, the data revealed the gene expression profiles of quiescent and activated LX-2 cells and the involvement of TRIM15 in the activation of LX-2 cells. Hereby, TRIM15 could be a novel target of the HSC activation mechanism.