ANXA2 is a potential marker for the diagnosis of human cervical cancer

Serum levels of stearic and dihomo-γ-linolenic acids can be used to diagnose cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Despite widespread cervical cancer (CC) screening programs, low participation has led to high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in developing countries. Because early-stage CC often has no symptoms, a non-invasive and convenient diagnostic method is needed to improve disease detection. In this study, we developed a new approach for differentiating both CC and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)2/3, a precancerous lesion, from healthy individuals by exploring CC fatty acid metabolic reprogramming. Analysis of public datasets suggested that various fatty acid metabolizing enzymes were expressed at higher levels in CC tissues than in normal tissues. Correspondingly, 11 free fatty acids (FFAs) showed significantly different serum levels in CC patient samples compared with healthy donor samples. Nine of these 11 FFAs also displayed significant alterations in CIN2/3 patients. We then generated diagnostic models using combinations of these FFAs, with the optimal model including stearic and dihomo-γ-linolenic acids. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses suggested that this diagnostic model could detect CC and CIN2/3 more accurately than using serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen level. In addition, the diagnostic model using FFAs was able to detect patients regardless of clinical stage or histological type. Overall, the serum FFA diagnostic model developed in this study could be a powerful new tool for the non-invasive early detection of CC and CIN2/3.

The novel DNA methylation marker FIBIN suppresses non-small cell lung cancer metastasis by negatively regulating ANXA2

OBJECTIVES

The clinical T1 stage solid lung cancer with metastasis is a serious threat to human life and health. In this study, we performed RNA sequencing on T1 advanced-stage lung cancer and adjacent tissues to identify a novel biomarker and explore its roles in lung cancer.

METHODS

Quantitative reversed-transcription PCR, reverse transcription PCR and Western blot, MSP and Methtarget were utilized to evaluate FIBIN expression levels at both the transcriptional and protein levels as well as its methylation status. Differential target protein was evaluated for relative and absolute quantitation by isobaric tags. Co-IP was performed to detect the interactions between target protein. Precise location and expression levels of target proteins were revealed by immunofluorescence staining and component protein extraction using specific kits, respectively.

RESULTS

We reported that FIBIN was frequently silenced due to promoter hypermethylation in lung cancer. Additionally, both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the significant anti-proliferation and anti-metastasis capabilities of FIBIN. Mechanistically, FIBIN decreased the nuclear accumulation of β-catenin by reducing the binding activity of GSK3β with ANXA2 while promoting interaction between GSK3β and β-catenin.

CONCLUSION

Our findings firstly identify FIBIN is a tumor suppressor, frequently silenced due to promoter hypermethylation. FIBIN may serve as a predictive biomarker for progression or metastasis among early-stage lung cancer patients.

A Novel tsRNA, m7G-3' tiRNA LysTTT, Promotes Bladder Cancer Malignancy Via Regulating ANXA2 Phosphorylation

Emerging evidence indicates that transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), originated from tRNA with high abundance RNA modifications, play an important role in many complex physiological and pathological processes. However, the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of modified tsRNAs in cancer remain poorly understood. Here, it is screened for and confirmed the presence of a novel m7G-modified tsRNA, m7G-3'-tiRNA LysTTT (mtiRL), in a variety of chemical carcinogenesis models by combining small RNA sequencing with an m7G small RNA-modified chip. Moreover, it is found that mtiRL, catalyzed by the tRNA m7G-modifying enzyme mettl1, promotes bladder cancer (BC) malignancy in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, mtiRL is found to specifically bind the oncoprotein Annexin A2 (ANXA2) to promote its Tyr24 phosphorylation by enhancing the interactions between ANXA2 and Yes proto-oncogene 1 (Yes1), leading to ANXA2 activation and increased p-ANXA2-Y24 nuclear localization in BC cells. Together, these findings define a critical role for mtiRL and suggest that targeting this novel m7G-modified tsRNA can be an efficient way for to treat BC.

Cervical extracellular matrix hydrogel optimizes tumor heterogeneity of cervical squamous cell carcinoma organoids

Cervical cancer, primarily squamous cell carcinoma, is the most prevalent gynecologic malignancy. Organoids can mimic tumor development in vitro, but current Matrigel inaccurately replicates the tissue-specific microenvironment. This limitation compromises the accurate representation of tumor heterogeneity. We collected para-cancerous cervical tissues from patients diagnosed with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and prepared uterine cervix extracellular matrix (UCEM) hydrogels. Proteomic analysis of UCEM identified several tissue-specific signaling pathways including human papillomavirus, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT, and extracellular matrix receptor. Secreted proteins like FLNA, MYH9, HSPA8, and EEF1A1 were present, indicating UCEM successfully maintained cervical proteins. UCEM provided a tailored microenvironment for CSCC organoids, enabling formation and growth while preserving tumorigenic potential. RNA sequencing showed UCEM-organoids exhibited greater similarity to native CSCC and reflected tumor heterogeneity by exhibiting CSCC-associated signaling pathways including virus protein-cytokine, nuclear factor κB, tumor necrosis factor, and oncogenes EGR1, FPR1, and IFI6. Moreover, UCEM-organoids developed chemotherapy resistance. Our research provides insights into advanced organoid technology through native matrix hydrogels.

Roles of PTEN gene methylation in Se-CQDs induced mitochondrial apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells

Biocompatible carbon quantum dots (CQDs) containing anti-osteosarcoma elements are intriguing therapeutics promising for bioimaging and tumor therapy. However, how the anti-osteosarcoma element doped in the structure of such CQDs triggers tumor inhibition remains unclear. Here, selenium-doped CQDs (Se-CQDs) are developed via a one-step hydrothermal route using discarded orange peel as a carbon source and structurally characterized by various physicochemical techniques. The biocompatibility and anti-osteosarcoma efficacy are deeply evaluated using animal and cell models. The resulting spherical Se-CQDs, with a 3-7 nm diameter, possess green-yellow tunable luminescence and excellent biocompatibility. Cell experiments show that Se-CQDs can be up-taken by osteosarcoma U2OS cells and activate the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway triggered by increased reactive oxygen species. They can arrest the cell cycle at the G2/S phase and promote cellular apoptosis with reduced invasion and migration. Molecularly, Se-CQDs can down-regulate the expression of DNMT1 while up-regulating the expression of PTEN due to the decreased promoter methylation. Notably, Se-incorporated CQDs are more effective in inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma than Se-free CQDs. It is feasible to use Se-CQDs as candidates for the potential application of early monitoring and treatment of osteosarcoma.

Comprehensive analysis the diagnosis, malignant progression and immune infiltrate of ANXA6 in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Annexins (ANXAs) play a crucial role in the development and progression of tumors. However, their specific involvement in prostate cancer (PCa) remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the function and clinical significance of key ANXAs in PCa.

METHODS

Multiple databases were used to analyze the expression levels, genetic variations, potential prognostic value and clinical significance of ANXAs in PCa. Then, the co-expressed genes of ANXA6 were identified, and the correlation between ANXA6 and immune cell infiltration was validated using the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database. Additionally, in vitro assays such as Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Colony Formation, Transwell and T-cell Chemotaxis assays were conducted to validate the functions of ANXA6. Moreover, multiple types of in vivo assays were performed to further validate the identified ANXA6 functions.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that ANXA2, ANXA6 and ANXA8 were significantly downregulated in PCa. ANXA6 upregulation was significantly associated with improved PCa patients' overall survival. Enrichment analysis revealed that ANXA6 and its co-expressed genes were involved in tumor progression, and ANXA6 overexpression could effectively inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of PC-3 cells. In vivo studies also demonstrated that ANXA6 overexpression suppressed tumor growth. Importantly, ANXA6 was found to promote the chemotaxis of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells towards PC-3 cells, and the overexpression of ANXA6 in PC-3 cells promoted the polarization of macrophages into M1 macrophages in the supernatant of PCa cells.

CONCLUSIONS

ANXA6 demonstrated promising potential for consideration as a prognostic biomarker in PCa as it was found to play key roles in regulating immune cell infiltration and the malignant progression to PCa.

MLK4 as an immune marker and its correlation with immune infiltration in Cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma(CESC)

Mixed pedigree kinase 4 (MLK4) is a member of the serine/threonine kinases mixed pedigree kinase (MLKs) family. Few reports on immune-related targets in Cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC), and the role of MLK4 in cervical cancer remains to be studied. The expression of MLK4 in CESC was analyzed by TCGA database containing 306 CESC tissues and 3 peritumoral tissue samples, and the effect of MLK4 on immune invasion was evaluated using the Deseq2 package(Benjamini-Hochberg corrected p-value < 0.05 and log2 fold change ≥|2|). Tissue microarray was used to verify the expression of MLK4 in CESC patients, and it was found that MLK4 was significantly overexpressed in CESC, and significantly correlated with WHO grade. Multiple analysis algorithms revealed that the high expression of MLK4 was negatively correlated with immune cell infiltration in CESC. Analysis showed that MLK4 expression was negatively correlated with the infiltration of various immune cells including CD8+T cells, and MLK4 mRNA expression was positively correlated with immune checkpoints PD-L1,CTLA4, LAG3, and negatively correlated with immune promotion genes CD86 and CD80. Furthermore, vitro assays were performed to investigate the biological characteristics of MLK4 in C33A cells. The EDU and transwell assays demonstrated that the decrease in MLK4 expression in C33A cells resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation and invasion. The silencing of MLK4 resulted in a significant increase in the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β(p<0.05), TNF-α(p<0.01), and IL-6 (p<0.05). The results of cell assays indicate that knocking down MLK4 would inhibit the expression of established biochemical markers CEA, AFP and HCG. Hence, it is plausible that MLK4 could potentially exert a significant influence on the development and progression of Cervical cancer.

Protein Profiling in Human Papillomavirus-Associated Cervical Carcinogenesis: Cornulin as a Biomarker for Disease Progression

Nearly 90% of cervical cancers are linked to human papillomavirus (HPV). Uncovering the protein signatures in each histological phase of cervical oncogenesis provides a path to biomarker discovery. The proteomes extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of the normal cervix, HPV16/18-associated squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were compared using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). A total of 3597 proteins were identified, with 589, 550, and 1570 proteins unique to the normal cervix, SIL, and SCC groups, respectively, while 332 proteins overlapped between the three groups. In the transition from normal cervix to SIL, all 39 differentially expressed proteins were downregulated, while all 51 proteins discovered were upregulated in SIL to SCC. The binding process was the top molecular function, while chromatin silencing in the SIL vs. normal group, and nucleosome assembly in SCC vs. SIL groups was the top biological process. The PI3 kinase pathway appears crucial in initiating neoplastic transformation, while viral carcinogenesis and necroptosis are important for cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis in cervical cancer development. Annexin A2 and cornulin were selected for validation based on LC-MS results. The former was downregulated in the SIL vs. normal cervix and upregulated in the progression from SIL to SCC. In contrast, cornulin exhibited the highest expression in the normal cervix and lowest in SCC. Although other proteins, such as histones, collagen, and vimentin, were differentially expressed, their ubiquitous expression in most cells precluded further analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarrays found no significant difference in Annexin A2 expression between the groups. Conversely, cornulin exhibited the strongest expression in the normal cervix and lowest in SCC, supporting its role as a tumor suppressor and potential biomarker for disease progression.

ANXA2 is a potential biomarker for cancer prognosis and immune infiltration: A systematic pan-cancer analysis

Background: Annexin A2 (ANXA2) belongs to the Annexin A family and plays a role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, fibrinolysis, and other physiological processes. Annexin A2 has been extensively implicated in tumorigenesis and development in previous studies, but its precise role in pan-cancer remains largely unknown. Methods: We adopted bioinformatics methods to explore the oncogenic role of Annexin A2 using different databases, including the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) biobank, the Human Protein Atlas (HPA), the Gene Expression Profiling Interaction Analysis (GEPIA) and cBioPortal. We analyzed the differential expression of Annexin A2 in different tumors and its relationship with cancer prognosis, immune cell infiltration, DNA methylation, tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI) and mismatch repair (MMR). Furtherly, we conducted a Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) to identify the Annexin A2-related pathways. Results: Annexin A2 expression was upregulated in most cancers, except in kidney chromophobe (KICH) and prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD). Annexin A2 showed a good diagnostic efficacy in twelve types of cancer. The high expression of Annexin A2 was significantly associated with a reduced overall survival, disease-specific survival and progression-free interval in seven cancers. The Annexin A2 expression was variably associated with infiltration of 24 types of immune cells in 32 tumor microenvironments. In addition, Annexin A2 expression was differently associated with 47 immune checkpoints, immunoregulators, DNA methylation, tumor mutation burden, microsatellite instability and mismatch repair in pan-cancer. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis revealed that Annexin A2 was significantly correlated with immune-related pathways in fifteen cancers. Conclusion: Annexin A2 widely correlates with immune infiltration and may function as a promising prognostic biomarker in many tumors, showing its potential as a target for immunotherapy in pan-cancer.

Human oncogenic viruses: an overview of protein biomarkers in viral cancers and their potential use in clinics

INTRODUCTION

Although the idea that carcinogenesis might be caused by viruses was first voiced about 100 years ago, today's data disappointingly show that we have not made much progress in preventing and/or treating viral cancers in a century. According to recent studies, infections are responsible for approximately 13% of cancer development in the world. Today, it is accepted and proven by many authorities that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), Human T-cell Lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV1) and highly oncogenic Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause or/and contribute to cancer development in humans.

AREAS COVERED

Considering the insufficient prevention and/or treatment strategies for viral cancers, in this review we present the current knowledge on protein biomarkers of oncogenic viruses. In addition, we aimed to decipher their potential for clinical use by evaluating whether the proposed biomarkers are expressed in body fluids, are druggable, and act as tumor suppressors or oncoproteins.

EXPERT OPINION

Consequently, we believe that this review will shed light on researchers and provide a guide to find remarkable solutions for the prevention and/or treatment of viral cancers.