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Drobyshev A, Modestov A, Suntsova M, Poddubskaya E, Seryakov A, Moisseev A, Sorokin M, Tkachev V, Zakharova G, Simonov A, Zolotovskaia MA, Buzdin A. Pan-cancer experimental characteristic of human transcriptional patterns connected with telomerase reverse transcriptase ( TERT) gene expression status. Front Genet 2024; 15:1401100. [PMID: 38859942 PMCID: PMC11163056 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1401100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The TERT gene encodes the reverse transcriptase subunit of telomerase and is normally transcriptionally suppressed in differentiated human cells but reactivated in cancers where its expression is frequently associated with poor survival prognosis. Here we experimentally assessed the RNA sequencing expression patterns associated with TERT transcription in 1039 human cancer samples of 27 tumor types. We observed a bimodal distribution of TERT expression where ∼27% of cancer samples did not express TERT and the rest showed a bell-shaped distribution. Expression of TERT strongly correlated with 1443 human genes including 103 encoding transcriptional factor proteins. Comparison of TERT- positive and negative cancers showed the differential activation of 496 genes and 1975 molecular pathways. Therein, 32/38 (84%) of DNA repair pathways were hyperactivated in TERT+ cancers which was also connected with accelerated replication, transcription, translation, and cell cycle progression. In contrast, the level of 40 positive cell cycle regulator proteins and a set of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition pathways was specific for the TERT- group suggesting different proliferation strategies for both groups of cancer. Our pilot study showed that the TERT+ group had ∼13% of cancers with C228T or C250T mutated TERT promoter. However, the presence of promoter mutations was not associated with greater TERT expression compared with other TERT+ cancers, suggesting parallel mechanisms of its transcriptional activation in cancers. In addition, we detected a decreased expression of L1 retrotransposons in the TERT+ group, and further decreased L1 expression in promoter mutated TERT+ cancers. TERT expression was correlated with 17 genes encoding molecular targets of cancer therapeutics and may relate to differential survival patterns of TERT- positive and negative cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksey Drobyshev
- Endocrinology Research Center, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Personalized Oncology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Modestov
- Institute of Personalized Oncology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Suntsova
- Endocrinology Research Center, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Personalized Oncology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Poddubskaya
- Institute of Personalized Oncology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Clinical Center Vitamed, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Aleksey Moisseev
- Institute of Personalized Oncology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maksim Sorokin
- Endocrinology Research Center, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Personalized Oncology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Galina Zakharova
- Institute of Personalized Oncology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksander Simonov
- Institute of Personalized Oncology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marianna A. Zolotovskaia
- Endocrinology Research Center, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Personalized Oncology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Center for Advanced Studies 20, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anton Buzdin
- Endocrinology Research Center, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Personalized Oncology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Center for Advanced Studies 20, Moscow, Russia
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
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Fahim SA, ElZohairy YA, Moustafa RI. Favipiravir, an antiviral drug, in combination with tamoxifen exerts synergistic effect in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells via hTERT inhibition. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1844. [PMID: 38246945 PMCID: PMC10800350 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51977-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen (TAM) is one of the most successful treatments for breast cancer; however, TAM resistance continues to be a significant barrier. TAM resistance has been reported to be associated with increased expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). This enzyme shares structural similarity with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) enzyme of RNA viruses, suggesting that RdRp inhibitors may also inhibit hTERT. Favipiravir (FAV) is an antiviral drug that inhibits RdRp of RNA viruses. Thus, we propose that FAV may also elicit an antitumor effect by suppressing hTERT. This study aimed to investigate the effect of FAV and TAM on TAM-resistant breast cancer (TAMR-1). The cell viabilities were determined. The levels of CDK1/ hTERT, in addition to regulators of hTERT-targeted signaling pathways were measured. Apoptosis, migration, and cell cycle distribution were also determined. Our data revealed that the combination of TAM and FAV suppressed cell proliferation synergistically (CI < 1) and resulted in a significant change in cell migration and apoptosis. Indeed, this was associated with reduced levels of hTERT and CDK1 and shift in the cell cycle distribution. Our findings suggest that the TAM/FAV combination exhibits synergistic effects against TAMR-1 human breast cancer cells by targeting hTERT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A Fahim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, 6th of October, P.O. Box 12577, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Yehia A ElZohairy
- School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, P.O. Box 12577, Giza, Egypt
| | - Rehab I Moustafa
- Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
- Microbiology Department, School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, P.O. Box 12577, Giza, Egypt
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3
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Kumar N, Sethi G. Telomerase and hallmarks of cancer: An intricate interplay governing cancer cell evolution. Cancer Lett 2023; 578:216459. [PMID: 37863351 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Transformed cells must acquire specific characteristics to be malignant. Weinberg and Hanahan characterize these characteristics as cancer hallmarks. Though these features are independently driven, substantial signaling crosstalk in transformed cells efficiently promotes these feature acquisitions. Telomerase is an enzyme complex that maintains telomere length. However, its main component, Telomere reverse transcriptase (TERT), has been found to interact with various signaling molecules like cMYC, NF-kB, BRG1 and cooperate in transcription and metabolic reprogramming, acting as a strong proponent of malignant features such as cell death resistance, sustained proliferation, angiogenesis activation, and metastasis, among others. It allows cells to avoid replicative senescence and achieve endless replicative potential. This review summarizes both the canonical and noncanonical functions of TERT and discusses how they promote cancer hallmarks. Understanding the role of Telomerase in promoting cancer hallmarks provides vital insight into the underlying mechanism of cancer genesis and progression and telomerase intervention as a possible therapeutic target for cancer treatment. More investigation into the precise molecular mechanisms of telomerase-mediated impacts on cancer hallmarks will contribute to developing more focused and customized cancer treatment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Kumar
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology and NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.
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Jiang H, Zhou S, Li G. Novel biomarkers used for early diagnosis and tyrosine kinase inhibitors as targeted therapies in colorectal cancer. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1189799. [PMID: 37719843 PMCID: PMC10502318 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1189799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common and second most lethal type of cancer worldwide, presenting major health risks as well as economic costs to both people and society. CRC survival chances are significantly higher if the cancer is diagnosed and treated early. With the development of molecular biology, numerous initiatives have been undertaken to identify novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of CRC. Pathological disorders can be diagnosed at a lower cost with the help of biomarkers, which can be detected in stool, blood, and tissue samples. Several lines of evidence suggest that the gut microbiota could be used as a biomarker for CRC screening and treatment. CRC treatment choices include surgical resection, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, and combination therapies. Targeted therapies are a relatively new and promising modality of treatment that has been shown to increase patients' overall survival (OS) rates and can inhibit cancer cell development. Several small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are being investigated as potential treatments due to our increasing awareness of CRC's molecular causes and oncogenic signaling. These compounds may inhibit critical enzymes in controlling signaling pathways, which are crucial for CRC cells' development, differentiation, proliferation, and survival. On the other hand, only one of the approximately 42 TKIs that demonstrated anti-tumor effects in pre-clinical studies has been licensed for clinical usage in CRC. A significant knowledge gap exists when bringing these tailored medicines into the clinic. As a result, the emphasis of this review is placed on recently discovered biomarkers for early diagnosis as well as tyrosine kinase inhibitors as possible therapy options for CRC.
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Bardelčíková A, Šoltys J, Mojžiš J. Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Colorectal Cancer: An Overview. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12040901. [PMID: 37107276 PMCID: PMC10135609 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12040901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The pathogenesis of CRC is a complex multistep process. Among other factors, inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) have been reported to be involved in the initiation and development of CRC. Although OS plays a vital part in the life of all organisms, its long-term effects on the human body may be involved in the development of different chronic diseases, including cancer diseases. Chronic OS can lead to the oxidation of biomolecules (nucleic acids, lipids and proteins) or the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways, resulting in the activation of several transcription factors or the dysregulation of gene and protein expression followed by tumor initiation or cancer cell survival. In addition, it is well known that chronic intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are associated with an increased risk of cancer, and a link between OS and IBD initiation and progression has been reported. This review focuses on the role of oxidative stress as a causative agent of inflammation in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamária Bardelčíková
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty of University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik in Košice, Tr. SNP 1, 040 11 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Jindřich Šoltys
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Science, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Ján Mojžiš
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty of University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik in Košice, Tr. SNP 1, 040 11 Košice, Slovakia
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Li J, Wang D, Liu Y, Zhou Y. Role of NRF2 in Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Treatment. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2022; 21:15330338221105736. [PMID: 36476179 PMCID: PMC9742687 DOI: 10.1177/15330338221105736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a basic leucine zipper protein that participates in a complex regulatory network in the body. The activation of NRF2 can prevent and treat colorectal cancer (CRC). A variety of natural compounds can activate NRF2 to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation to prevent the occurrence and development of CRC, inhibit the proliferation of CRC cells and induce their apoptosis. However, some studies have also shown that it also has negative effects on CRC, such as overexpression of NRF2 can promote the growth of colorectal tumors and increase the drug resistance of chemotherapeutic drugs such as 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin. Therefore, inhibition of NRF2 can also be helpful in the treatment of CRC. In this study, we analyze the current research progress of NRF2 in CRC from various aspects to provide new ideas for prevention and treatment based on the NRF2 signaling pathway in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxiang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei, China
| | - Dan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei, China
| | - Yifei Liu
- School of Stomatology and Ophthalmology, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei, China,
Yifei Liu, School of Stomatology and Ophthalmology, Xianning medical college, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei, China.
| | - Yanhong Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei, China,Yanhong Zhou, School of Pharmacy, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei, China.
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7
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Lewicky JD, Martel AL, Fraleigh NL, Picard E, Mousavifar L, Nakamura A, Diaz-Mitoma F, Roy R, Le HT. Exploiting the DNA Damaging Activity of Liposomal Low Dose Cytarabine for Cancer Immunotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122710. [PMID: 36559204 PMCID: PMC9782803 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Perhaps the greatest limitation for the continually advancing developments in cancer immunotherapy remains the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) axis is an emerging immunotherapy target, with the resulting type I interferons and transcription factors acting at several levels in both tumor and immune cells for the generation of adaptive T cell responses. The cGAS-STING axis activation by therapeutic agents that induce DNA damage, such as certain chemotherapies, continues to be reported, highlighting the importance of the interplay of this signaling pathway and the DNA damage response in cancer immunity/immunotherapy. We have developed a multi-targeted mannosylated cationic liposomal immunomodulatory system (DS) which contains low doses of the chemotherapeutic cytarabine (Ara-C). In this work, we show that entrapment of non-cytotoxic doses of Ara-C within the DS improves its ability to induce DNA double strand breaks in human ovarian and colorectal cancer cell lines, as well as in various immune cells. Importantly, for the first time we demonstrate that the DNA damage induced by Ara-C/DS translates into cGAS-STING axis activation. We further demonstrate that Ara-C/DS-mediated DNA damage leads to upregulation of surface expression of immune ligands on cancer cells, coinciding with priming of cytotoxic lymphocytes as assessed using an ex vivo model of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from colorectal cancer patients, as well as an in vitro NK cell model. Overall, the results highlight a broad immunotherapeutic potential for Ara-C/DS by enhancing tumor-directed inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan D. Lewicky
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Alexandrine L. Martel
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Nya L. Fraleigh
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
| | - Emilie Picard
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 28 rue Laennec, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Leila Mousavifar
- Glycosciences and Nanomaterial Laboratory, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Arnaldo Nakamura
- Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 531 Boulevard des Prairies, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Francisco Diaz-Mitoma
- Medicinal Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - René Roy
- Glycosciences and Nanomaterial Laboratory, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
- Correspondence: (R.R.); (H.-T.L.)
| | - Hoang-Thanh Le
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, 56 Walford Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2H2, Canada
- Medicinal Sciences Division, NOSM University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Correspondence: (R.R.); (H.-T.L.)
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8
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Yin H, Huang Z, Niu S, Ming L, Jiang H, Gu L, Huang W, Xie J, He Y, Zhang C. 5-Methylcytosine (m5C) modification in peripheral blood immune cells is a novel non-invasive biomarker for colorectal cancer diagnosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:967921. [PMID: 36211353 PMCID: PMC9532581 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.967921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Current non-invasive tumor biomarkers failed to accurately identify patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), delaying CRC diagnosis and thus leading to poor prognosis. Dysregulation of 5-Methylcytosine (m5C) RNA has gradually been reported in various cancers, but their role in tumor diagnosis is rarely mentioned. Our study aimed to determine the role of m5C methylation modification in blood immune cells for the diagnosis of CRC. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from a total of 83 healthy controls and 196 CRC patients. We observed that m5C RNA contents in blood immune cells of CRC patients were markedly enhanced in both training set and validation set. Moreover, levels of m5C increased with CRC progression and metastasis but reduced after treatment. Compared with common blood tumor biomarkers, m5C levels in peripheral blood immune cells had superior discrimination and reclassification performance in diagnosing CRC. Besides, bioinformatics and qRT-PCR analysis identified increased expression of m5C-modified regulators NSUN5 and YBX1 in CRC patients’ blood. A series of animal models and cell co-culture models further demonstrated that CRC tumor cells could increase immune cells’ m5C levels and m5C-modified regulators. Monocyte was the predominant m5C-modified immune cell type in CRC patients’ blood by Gene set variation analysis (GSVA). Taken together, m5C methylation modification in peripheral blood immune cells was a promising biomarker for non-invasive diagnosis of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haofan Yin
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhijian Huang
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Shiqiong Niu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Liang Ming
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongbo Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Liang Gu
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Weibin Huang
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinye Xie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan City People's Hospital, The Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhongshan, China
- *Correspondence: Changhua Zhang, ; Yulong He, ; Jinye Xie,
| | - Yulong He
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Changhua Zhang, ; Yulong He, ; Jinye Xie,
| | - Changhua Zhang
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Changhua Zhang, ; Yulong He, ; Jinye Xie,
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9
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Yilmaz S, Bedir E, Ballar Kirmizibayrak P. The role of cycloastragenol at the intersection of NRF2/ARE, telomerase, and proteasome activity. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 188:105-116. [PMID: 35718303 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.06.230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Aging is well-characterized by the gradual decline of cellular functionality. As redox balance, proteostasis, and telomerase systems have been found to be associated with aging and age-related diseases, targeting these systems with small compounds has been considered a promising therapeutic approach. Cycloastragenol (CA), a small molecule telomerase activator obtained from Astragalus species, has been reported to positively affect several age-related pathophysiologies, but the mechanisms underlying CA activity have yet to be reported. Here, we presented that CA increased NRF2 nuclear localization and activity leading to upregulation of cytoprotective enzymes and attenuation of oxidative stress-induced ROS levels. Furthermore, CA-mediated induction of telomerase activity was found to be regulated by NRF2. CA not only increased the expression of hTERT but also its nuclear localization via upregulating the Hsp90-chaperon complex. In addition to modulating nuclear hTERT levels at unstressed conditions, CA alleviated oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial hTERT levels while increasing nuclear hTERT levels. Concomitantly, H2O2-induced mitochondrial ROS level was found to be significantly decreased by CA administration. Our data also revealed that CA strongly enhanced proteasome activity and assembly. More importantly, the proteasome activator effect of CA is dependent on the induction of telomerase activity, which is mediated by NRF2 system. In conclusion, our results not only revealed the cross-talk among NRF2, telomerase, and proteasome systems but also that CA functions at the intersection of these three major aging-related cellular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinem Yilmaz
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey; Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alanya Aladdin Keykubat, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Erdal Bedir
- Department of Bioengineering, Izmir Institute of Technology, 35430, Urla, Izmir, Turkey.
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10
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Ercan C, Coto-Llerena M, Gallon J, Fourie L, Marinucci M, Hess GF, Vosbeck J, Taha-Mehlitz S, Boldanova T, Meier MA, Tzankov A, Matter MS, Hoffmann MHK, Di Tommaso L, von Flüe M, Ng CKY, Heim MH, Soysal SD, Terracciano LM, Kollmar O, Piscuoglio S. Genomic analysis of focal nodular hyperplasia with associated hepatocellular carcinoma unveils its malignant potential: a case report. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2022; 2:11. [PMID: 35603298 PMCID: PMC9053256 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-022-00074-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is typically considered a benign tumor of the liver without malignant potential. The co-occurrence of FNH and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been reported in rare cases. In this study we sought to investigate the clonal relationship between these lesions in a patient with FNH-HCC co-occurrence.
Methods
A 74-year-old female patient underwent liver tumor resection. The resected nodule was subjected to histologic analyses using hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemistry. DNA extracted from microdissected FNH and HCC regions was subjected to whole exome sequencing. Clonality analysis were performed using PyClone.
Results
Histologic analysis reveals that the nodule consists of an FNH and two adjoining HCC components with distinct histopathological features. Immunophenotypic characterization and genomic analyses suggest that the FNH is clonally related to the HCC components, and is composed of multiple clones at diagnosis, that are likely to have progressed to HCC through clonal selection and/or the acquisition of additional genetic events.
Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first study showing a clonal relationship between FNH and HCC. We show that FNH may possess the capability to undergo malignant transformation and to progress to HCC in very rare cases.
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Kong L, Zhang H, Lu C, Shi K, Huang H, Zheng Y, Wang Y, Wang D, Wang H, Huang W. AICAR, an AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Activator, Ameliorates Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Liver Injury Partially Through Nrf2-Mediated Antioxidant Effects and Inhibition of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:724514. [PMID: 34531748 PMCID: PMC8438129 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.724514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a highly fatal acute inflammation and is often accompanied by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The liver, one of the most vulnerable extrapancreatic organs in AP, is the major organ involved in the evolution of the disease and correlates strongly with the occurrence of MODS. However, the etiology of pancreatitis-associated liver injury (PALI) has not been clarified and currently lacks an effective treatment. 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) is a cell permeable nucleoside with pleiotropic effects on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant stress that binds with adenosine monophosphate protein kinase (AMPK) and induces AMPK activation. However, the role of AICAR in PALI remains elusive. Here, we show that activation of AMPK by AICAR, a direct AMPK agonist, significantly ameliorates sodium taurocholate-induced PALI in rats, whereas treatment of PALI rats with the AMPK antagonist Compound C profoundly exacerbates the degree of liver injury, suggesting that hepatic AMPK activation exerts an essential protective role in PALI. Mechanistically, AICAR induces AMPK activation, which in turn activates nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2) -regulated hepatic antioxidant capacity and inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyrolysis, protecting rats from sodium taurocholate-induced PALI. In addition, Nrf2 deficiency strikingly weakens the beneficial effects of AICAR on alleviation of liver injury, oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in L-arginine-induced PALI mice. Thus, AICAR protects against PALI in rodents by triggering AMPK, which is mediated at least in part by Nrf2-modulated antioxidant effects and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Kong
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hewei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chaosheng Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Keqing Shi
- Translational Medicine Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hongjian Huang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yushu Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yongqiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hongwei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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