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Zhong Y, Cao Y, Geng X, Yang S, Qian T, Liu C, Chen J. The role of microRNA-142a in Toxoplasma gondii infection-induced downregulation of Foxp3: implications for adverse pregnancy outcomes. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:490. [PMID: 38741041 PMCID: PMC11089769 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09375-0] [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: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is capable of infecting nearly all warm-blooded animals and approximately 30% of the global population. Though most infections are subclinical in immunocompetent individuals, congenital contraction can lead to severe consequences such as spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, and a range of cranio-cerebral and/or ocular abnormalities. Previous studies reported that T. gondii-infected pregnancy mice unveiled a deficit in both the amount and suppressive functions of regulatory T (Treg) cells, accompanied with reduced levels of forkhead box p3 (Foxp3). Recently, accumulative studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are, to some extent, relevant to T. gondii infection. However, the link between alterations in miRNAs and downregulation of Foxp3 triggered by T. gondii has been only sporadically studied. METHODS Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), protein blotting and immunofluorescence were employed to evaluate the impact of T. gondii infection and antigens on miRNA transcription and Foxp3 expression. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were performed to examine the fluorescence activity in EL4 cells, which were transfected with recombinant plasmids containing full-length/truncated/mutant microRNA-142a-3p (miR-142a) promoter sequence or wild type/mutant of Foxp3 3' untranslated region (3' UTR). RESULTS We found a pronounced increase in miR-142a transcription, concurrent with a decrease in Foxp3 expression in T. gondii-infected mouse placental tissue. Similarly, comparable findings have been experimentally confirmed through the treatment of EL4 cells with T. gondii antigens (TgAg) in vitro. Simultaneously, miR-142a mimics attenuated Foxp3 expression, whereas its inhibitors markedly augmented Foxp3 expression. miR-142a promoter activity was elevated upon the stimulation of T. gondii antigens, which mitigated co-transfection of mutant miR-142a promoter lacking P53 target sites. miR-142a mimics deceased the fluorescence activity of Foxp3 3' untranslated region (3' UTR), but it did not affect the fluorescence activity upon the co-transfection of mutant Foxp3 3' UTR lacking miR-142a target site. CONCLUSION In both in vivo and in vitro studies, a negative correlation was discovered between Foxp3 expression and miR-142a transcription. TgAg enhanced miR-142a promoter activity to facilitate miR-142a transcription through a P53-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, miR-142a directly targeted Foxp3 3' UTR, resulting in the downregulation of Foxp3 expression. Therefore, harnessing miR-142a may be a possible therapeutic approach for adverse pregnancy caused by immune imbalances, particularly those induced by T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhong
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, People's Republic of China
- ZhenJiang Provincial Blood Center, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yining Cao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Geng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujin Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianmei Qian
- Engineering Research Center of Integration and Application of Digital Learning Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100034, People's Republic of China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jinling Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, People's Republic of China.
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de Deus A, Gonçalves G, da Silva J, de Jesus LC, Azevedo-Santos APS, Dall Agnol H, Pereira SR. Microbiome reveals inflammatory-related bacteria and putative functional pathways involved in human papillomavirus-associated penile squamous cell carcinoma. Andrology 2024; 12:809-820. [PMID: 37840240 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13545] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare disease that is more prevalent in developing countries, such as Brazil, and is linked to poor genital hygiene, which promotes the proliferation of microorganisms. Dysbiosis has an effect on the local immune response, increases the risk of viral infection, and can generate inflammatory processes. Current knowledge of the microbiota found in penile tissues is limited, and the bacterial diversity of the PSCC remains unknown. In this investigation, the microbiota associated with penile cancer and its potential role in tumor development and progression were identified. METHODS The 16S rRNA gene was analyzed by next-generation sequencing in 19 tumors and their respective non-tumor adjacent tissues to perform taxonomic classification, analysis of core microbiome, abundance, and diversity of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) (QIIME2 v.2020.2), and in silico functional prediction (PICRUST2, p < 0.05). RESULTS In both tissues, the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, and genera Alcaligenes and Fusobaterium, were the most prevalent. Tumors presented a greater relative abundance of Fusobacteriota, Campilobacteria, and Fusobacterium (p = 0.04, p = 0.04, and p = 0.039, respectively). In addition, the beta diversity analysis revealed a tendency for the formation of two distinct groups when only advanced tumors (pT2 and pT3) were considered. Further, the functional analysis identified the top 35 pathways, and 79.5% of PSCC samples contained pro-inflammatory microorganisms. CONCLUSION We describe the first microbiome of penile carcinoma, which revealed an abundant and diverse microbiota as well as inflammatory-related taxa (the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, the genera Fusobacterium and Prevotella, and the species Finegoldia magma and Pseudomonas geniculata) and molecular pathways (chitin derivates degradation, the protocatechuic acid pathway, inositol metabolism, and the sucrose pathway), which have also been linked to inflammation and carcinogenesis. Moreover, we found specific and abundant ASVs in both tumor and non-tumor tissues. Our data encourage further study to better understand the role of these microorganisms in penile carcinogenesis, offering an opportunity for advances in diagnosis, prognosis, and early therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda de Deus
- Postgraduate Program in Health Science, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Gabriele Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Jenilson da Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Health Science, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Luís Cláudio de Jesus
- Department of Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Hivana Dall Agnol
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Silma Regina Pereira
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
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Huang J, Liu R, Zhang Y, Sheng X. Mechanistic analysis of endothelial lipase G promotion of the occurrence and development of cervical carcinoma by activating the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase signalling pathway. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2023; 43:2151353. [PMID: 36606668 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2022.2151353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Lipase G, endothelial type (LIPG) is expressed abundantly in tissues with a high metabolic rate and vascularisation. Research on LIPG has focussed on metabolic syndromes. However, the role of LIPG in providing lipid precursors suggests that it might function in the metabolism of carcinoma cells. Analysis in The Cancer Genome Atlas indicated that patients with cervical carcinoma with high LIPG expression had a lower survival prognosis compared with patients with low LIPG expression. The mechanism underlying the effects of LIPG in cervical carcinoma is unclear. The present study aimed to determine the role of LIPG in cervical carcinoma and its mechanism. The results showed that the LIPG expression level was higher in cervical cancer. Downregulation of LIPG expression inhibited cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and the formation of cell colonies, but increased the rate of apoptosis. The Human papillomavirus E6 protein might reduce the expression of miR-148a-3p, relieve the inhibitory effect of miR-148a-3p on LIPG expression, and promote the progression of cervical cancer through the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase signalling pathway.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? LIPG provides lipid precursors, suggesting that it might function in the metabolism of carcinoma cellsWhat do the results of this study add? LIPG might be regulated by HPV16 E6/miR-148a-3p and promote cervical carcinoma progression via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway.What are the implications of these finding for clinical practice and/or further research? The results indicated that novel treatment and diagnosis strategies for cervical carcinoma could be developed related to LIPG. However, the detailed relationship between LIPG and cervical carcinoma remains to be fully determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Huang
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Renci Liu
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiujie Sheng
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Wei L, Huang K, Han H, Liu RY. Human Papillomavirus Infection in Penile Cancer: Multidimensional Mechanisms and Vaccine Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16808. [PMID: 38069131 PMCID: PMC10706305 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Penile cancer (PC) is a rare male malignant tumor, with early lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. Human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a key role in the carcinogenesis of PC. This review aims to summarize the association between HPV infection and PC in terms of virus-host genome integration patterns (the disrupted regions in the HPV and PC genome), genetic alterations, and epigenetic regulation (methylation and microRNA modification) occurring in HPV and PC DNA, as well as tumor immune microenvironment reprogramming. In addition, the potential of HPV vaccination strategies for PC prevention and treatment is discussed. Understanding of the HPV-related multidimensional mechanisms and the application of HPV vaccines will promote rational and novel management of PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichao Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (L.W.); (K.H.)
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Kangbo Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (L.W.); (K.H.)
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Hui Han
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (L.W.); (K.H.)
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Ran-yi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (L.W.); (K.H.)
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do Canto LM, da Silva JM, Castelo-Branco PV, da Silva IM, Nogueira L, Fonseca-Alves CE, Khayat A, Birbrair A, Pereira SR. Mutational Signature and Integrative Genomic Analysis of Human Papillomavirus-Associated Penile Squamous Cell Carcinomas from Latin American Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143514. [PMID: 35884575 PMCID: PMC9316960 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary DNA sequencing has been crucial to comprehending cancer mutational patterns, leading to the identification of driver genes and altered signaling pathways. Thus, identifying new pathogenic variants and their impact on tumor onset, progression, and treatment response has fueled tumor biology research. Here, we present novel findings addressing the first whole-exome sequencing (WES) of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) from Latin Americans and its association with pathogenesis. We also compared the molecular profile of the tumors to that of three previous studies from populations with different genetic and socioeconomic backgrounds, the majority of which was HPV-negative. We describe the most altered genes and the main pathogenic variants found in the Latin Americans, ten of which are exclusive to our study sample. The data allowed us to identify molecular pathways and druggable targets with potential treatment value for this still-neglected HPV-associated carcinoma. Abstract High-throughput DNA sequencing has allowed for the identification of genomic alterations and their impact on tumor development, progression, and therapeutic responses. In PSCC, for which the incidence has progressively increased worldwide, there are still limited data on the molecular mechanisms involved in the disease pathogenesis. In this study, we characterized the mutational signature of 30 human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated PSCC cases from Latin Americans, using whole-exome sequencing. Copy number variations (CNVs) were also identified and compared to previous array-generated data. Enrichment analyses were performed to reveal disrupted pathways and to identify alterations mapped to HPV integration sites (HPVis) and miRNA–mRNA hybridization regions. Among the most frequently mutated genes were NOTCH1, TERT, TTN, FAT1, TP53, CDKN2A, RYR2, CASP8, FBXW7, HMCN2, and ITGA8. Of note, 92% of these altered genes were localized at HPVis. We also found mutations in ten novel genes (KMT2C, SMARCA4, PTPRB, AJUBA, CR1, KMT2D, NBEA, FAM135B, GTF2I, and CIC), thus increasing our understanding of the potential HPV-disrupted pathways. Therefore, our study reveals innovative targets with potential therapeutic benefits for HPV-associated PSCCs. The CNV analysis by sequencing (CNV-seq) revealed five cancer-associated genes as the most frequent with gains (NOTCH1, MYC, NUMA1, PLAG1, and RAD21), while 30% of the tumors showed SMARCA4 with loss. Additionally, four cancer-associated genes (CARD11, CSMD3, KDR, and TLX3) carried untranslated regions (UTRs) variants, which may impact gene regulation by affecting the miRNAs hybridization regions. Altogether, these data contribute to the characterization of the mutational spectrum and its impact on cellular signaling pathways in PSCC, thus reinforcing the pivotal role of HPV infection in the molecular pathogenesis of these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Matos do Canto
- Clinical Genetics Department, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, 7100 Vejle, Denmark;
| | - Jenilson Mota da Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Health Science, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil;
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil; (P.V.C.-B.); (I.M.d.S.)
| | - Patrícia Valèria Castelo-Branco
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil; (P.V.C.-B.); (I.M.d.S.)
| | - Ingrid Monteiro da Silva
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil; (P.V.C.-B.); (I.M.d.S.)
| | | | | | - André Khayat
- Oncology Research Center, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66073-005, PA, Brazil;
| | - Alexander Birbrair
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
- Department of Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Silma Regina Pereira
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil; (P.V.C.-B.); (I.M.d.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-98-32728543
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