Synergism of Adipocytokine Profile and ADIPOQ/TNF-α Polymorphisms in NAFLD-associated MetS Predict Colorectal Liver Metastases Outgrowth

MASH as an emerging cause of hepatocellular carcinoma: current knowledge and future perspectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the deadliest and fastest-growing cancers. Among HCC etiologies, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has served as a major HCC driver due to its great potential for increasing cirrhosis. The obesogenic environment fosters a positive energy balance and results in a continuous rise of obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, it is difficult to understand how metabolic complications lead to the poor prognosis of liver diseases and which molecular mechanisms are underpinning MAFLD-driven HCC development. Thus, suitable preclinical models that recapitulate human etiologies are essentially required. Numerous preclinical models have been created but not many mimicked anthropometric measures and the course of disease progression shown in the patients. Here we review the literature on adipose tissues, liver-related HCC etiologies and recently discovered genetic mutation signatures found in MAFLD-driven HCC patients. We also critically review current rodent models suggested for MAFLD-driven HCC study.

Bioinformatics-based identification and validation of hub genes associated with aging in patients with coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common aging-related disease in adults. We used bioinformatics analysis to study genes associated with aging in patients with CAD. The microarray data of the GSE12288 dataset were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to obtain 934 CAD-associated differentially expressed genes. By overlaying them with aging-related genes in the Aging Atlas database, 33 differentially expressed aging-related genes (DEARGs) were identified. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses revealed that the 33 DEARGs were mainly enriched in cell adhesion and activation, Th17 and Th1/Th2 cell differentiation, and longevity regulation pathways. Hub genes were further screened using multiple algorithms of Cytoscape software and validation set GSE71226. Clinical samples were then collected, and the expression of hub genes in whole blood was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and western blot at the transcription and translation levels. Finally, HSP90AA1 and CEBPA were identified as hub genes. The results of this study suggest that HSP90AA1 and CEBPA are closely related to CAD. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the association between aging effectors and CAD, and indicate that these genes may be promising biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of CAD.

Analysis of the Genetic Relationship between Atherosclerosis and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease through Biological Interaction Networks

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) seems to have some molecular links with atherosclerosis (ATH); however, the molecular pathways which connect both pathologies remain unexplored to date. The identification of common factors is of great interest to explore some therapeutic strategies to improve the outcomes for those affected patients. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for NAFLD and ATH were extracted from the GSE89632 and GSE100927 datasets, and common up- and downregulated DEGs were identified. Subsequently, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network based on the common DEGs was performed. Functional modules were identified, and the hub genes were extracted. Then, a Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway analysis of common DEGs was performed. DEGs analysis in NAFLD and ATH showed 21 genes that were regulated similarly in both pathologies. The common DEGs with high centrality scores were ADAMTS1 and CEBPA which appeared to be down- and up-regulated in both disorders, respectively. For the analysis of functional modules, two modules were identified. The first one was oriented to post-translational protein modification, where ADAMTS1 and ADAMTS4 were identified, and the second one mainly related to the immune response, where CSF3 was identified. These factors could be key proteins with an important role in the NAFLD/ATH axis.

The Roles of TNF Signaling Pathways in Metabolism of Bone Tumors

The metabolism of bone tumors is extraordinarily complex and involves many signaling pathways and processes, including the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, which consists of TNF factors and the TNF receptors that belong to the TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF). It is appreciated that signaling events and pathways involving TNFRSF components are essential in coordinating the functions of multiple cell types that act as a host defense network against pathogens and malignant cells, the implications of TNFRSF-related signaling pathways on bone tumor metabolism remain to be summarized, which is one of the significant obstacles to the application of TNF-related treatment modalities in the domain of bone oncology. This review will discuss and summarize the anti-tumor properties of important TNFRSF components concerning osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma.

Target Deconvolution of Fenofibrate in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Using Bioinformatics Analysis

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent form of liver damage, affecting ~25% of the global population. NAFLD comprises a spectrum of liver pathologies, from hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and may progress to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. The presence of NAFLD correlates with metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia, obesity, blood hypertension, cardiovascular, and insulin resistance. Fenofibrate is an agonist drug for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), used principally for treatment of hyperlipidemia. However, fenofibrate has recently been investigated in clinical trials for treatment of other metabolic disorders such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and NAFLD. The evidence to date indicates that fenofibrate could improve NAFLD. While PPARα is considered to be the main target of fenofibrate, fenofibrate may exert its effect through impact on other genes and pathways thereby alleviating, and possibly reversing, NAFLD. In this study, using bioinformatics tools and gene-drug, gene-diseases databases, we sought to explore possible targets, interactions, and pathways involved in fenofibrate and NAFLD.

Methods

We first determined significant protein interactions with fenofibrate in the STITCH database with high confidence (0.7). Next, we investigated the identified proteins on curated targets in two databases, including the DisGeNET and DISEASES databases, to determine their association with NAFLD. We finally constructed a Venn diagram for these two collections (curated genes-NAFLD and fenofibrate-STITCH) to uncover possible primary targets of fenofibrate. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG were analyzed to detect the significantly involved targets in molecular function, biological process, cellular component, and biological pathways. A P value < 0.01 was considered the cut-off criterion. We also estimated the specificity of targets with NAFLD by investigating them in disease-gene associations (STRING) and EnrichR (DisGeNET). Finally, we verified our findings in the scientific literature.

Results

We constructed two collections, one with 80 protein-drug interactions and the other with 95 genes associated with NAFLD. Using the Venn diagram, we identified 11 significant targets including LEP, SIRT1, ADIPOQ, PPARA, SREBF1, LDLR, GSTP1, VLDLR, SCARB1, MMP1, and APOC3 and then evaluated their biological pathways. Based on Gene Ontology, most of the targets are involved in lipid metabolism, and KEGG enrichment pathways showed the PPAR signaling pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, and NAFLD as the most significant pathways. The interrogation of those targets on authentic disease databases showed they were more specific to both steatosis and steatohepatitis liver injury than to any other diseases in these databases. Finally, we identified three significant genes, APOC3, PPARA, and SREBF1, that showed robust drug interaction with fenofibrate.

Conclusion

Fenofibrate may exert its effect directly or indirectly, via modulation of several key targets and pathways, in the treatment of NAFLD.

Decoding the Pathophysiology of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Progressing to Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Systematic Review

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndromes, and its roots are strongly associated with obesity and insulin resistance. The excess fat induces inflammatory pathways by tissue irritation and progresses to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and has emerged as the most frequent cause of hepatocellular cancer (HCC). This systematic review was structured per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The evidence was obtained from 13 research articles published in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases, including cross-sectional, case-control, prospective cohort studies, meta-analysis, and systematic reviews. The inclusion/exclusion criteria of free articles, published in English involving humans of mid-age in the last five years were applied. This review highlights findings in 7781 individuals, including non-NAFLD, NAFLD, and NASH positive individuals based on anthropometric measurement, blood samples, FibroScan, flow cytometry, and liver biopsy. The results underscored that the onset of inflammation set on the background of NAFLD starts NASH; the understanding and control of inflammation will help us design definitive biomarkers and treatment modalities. The complex pathogenesis and comparatively slow advancement but high morbidity have led investigators to understand the nuts and bolts for early management and prevention. Lipotoxicity and dysbiosis stimulate the immune system to generate cytokines and chemokines and decline in adipokines. The role of proteinase3 (PR3) and antitrypsin (ATT) ratio and biliverdin reductase (BVR) compel the exploration for non-invasive tests for definitive therapy.

Metabolic Messengers: tumour necrosis factor

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a classical, pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine. It is also the first 'adipokine' described to be produced from adipose tissue, regulated in obesity and proposed to contribute to obesity-associated metabolic disease. In this review, we provide an overview of TNF in the context of metabolic inflammation or metaflammation, its discovery as a metabolic messenger, its sites and mechanisms of action and some critical considerations for future research. Although we focus on TNF and the studies that elucidated its immunometabolic actions, we highlight a conceptual framework, generated by these studies, that is equally applicable to the complex network of pro-inflammatory signals, their biological activity and their integration with metabolic regulation, and to the field of immunometabolism more broadly.

Coix lacryma-jobi Seed Oil Reduces Fat Accumulation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Inhibiting the Activation of the p-AMPK/SePP1/apoER2 Pathway

The lipid metabolism disorder is the key role of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Selenoprotein P plays an important role in the pathological process of lipid accumulation. Coix lacryma-jboi seed oil (CLSO) is an active component extracted from Coix lacryma-jobi seed (CLS) which has been found to be effective of reducing blood fat and antioxidative. But the effect and mechanism of CLSO on NAFLD are not clear. The aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of CLSO in the treatment of NAFLD. Our result showed that CLSO decreased the liver/body weight ratio, lowered the total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TG), and elevated the high density lipoprotein (HDL) in serum. CLSO reduced the lipid deposition in the liver of NAFLD rats. In addition, CLSO could bring down the abnormal expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, CLSO significantly declined the liver apolipoprotein E (apoE), apolipoprotein E receptor (apoER) and selenoprotein P 1 (SePP1) expression. In vivo, CLSO decreased the lipid droplets and TG level, reduced the protein expression of SePP1, apoER, phosphor-adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) in the cytoplasm of HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid and palmitic acid (OP). At the same time, lipid accumulation was observed in the Sepp1 high expression cells induced by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) activator tunicamycin (Tm). CLSO could identically reduce the protein expression of SePP1, apoER, p-AMPK in the cytoplasm of HepG2 cells induced by Tm. This result not only proved the CLSO had therapeutic effect on NAFLD, but also confirmed its mechanism associated with degrading the phosphorylation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which led to the decrease of the expression SePP1/apoER2 in order to reduce lipid accumulation. The study suggests CLSO has great medicinal value in treating NAFLD besides its edibility.

Prognostic Model of Colorectal Cancer Constructed by Eight Immune-Related Genes

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract with a high mortality rate. Growing evidence demonstrates that immune-related genes play a prominent role in the occurrence and development of CRC. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of immune-related genes in CRC.

Methods

Gene expression profiles and clinical data of 568 CRC and 44 non-tumorous tissues were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. First, we performed a differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis and univariate Cox regression analysis to determine the DEGs associated with overall survival. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were subsequently performed for prognostic immune-related genes. Then, a multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to establish the immune prognostic model and identify the independent prognostic factors of CRC. Next, in vitro experiments were done to further validate the model. Finally, we analyzed the correlation among immune-related genes, clinical traits, and immune cell infiltration.

Results

In total, 3,702 DEGs were obtained, and 338 prognostic immune-related genes were identified. Among them, 45 genes were significantly correlated with the prognosis of CRC patients. A TF-mediated network was set up to explore its internal mechanism. GO and KEGG analyses further illustrated that these genes were enriched in immune-and inflammatory-related pathways. Then, a prognostic prediction model composed of eight immune-related genes (SLC10A2, UTS2, FGF2, UCN, IL1RL2, ESM1, ADIPOQ, and VIP) was constructed. The AUC of the ROC curve for 1, 3, 5, and 10 years overall survival (OS) was 0.751, 0.707, 0.680, and 0.729, respectively. The survival analysis suggested that the OS of the high-risk group was significantly poorer than that of the low-risk group. Meanwhile, in vitro assays revealed that ESM1 and SLC10A2 exert opposing roles in colon cancer cell proliferation, validating the accuracy of the model. The correlation analysis indicated that immune cell infiltration was positively related to the model.

Conclusion

This study screened prognosis-related immune genes and developed a prognostic prediction model of CRC. These findings may help provide potential novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CRC. At the same time, the understanding of the CRC immune microenvironment status was deepened.

The Role of Circulating Adiponectin and SNP276G>T at ADIPOQ Gene in BRCA-mutant Women

BACKGROUND

Environmental factors may influence the lifetime risk of cancer (penetrance) in women with a BRCA mutation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 89 BRCA-mutant women, affected or unaffected by breast/ovarian cancer, we explored serum levels of adipokines and their relation with the polymorphism SNP276G>T as modulators of BRCA penetrance.

RESULTS

Affected women had significantly lower adiponectin than healthy women. Affected women with rs1501299 TT had significantly lower adiponectin and higher leptin than GT and GG genotypes. GT genotype was significantly associated with the disease status [odds ratio (OR)=3.24, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.03-10.17]. Women in the lower tertile of serum adiponectin had a RR of BRCA-associated cancer of 2.80, 95% CI=1.1-7.1 (p for trend=0.03) compared with women in the higher tertile.

CONCLUSION

In the SNP rs1501299 the T allele was significantly associated with lower serum levels of adiponectin in affected women, suggesting that the T allele might be related to cancer.