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Li H, Zheng N, Guo A, Tang W, Li M, Cao Y, Ma X, Cao H, Ma Y, Wang H, Zhao S. FSTL3 promotes tumor immune evasion and attenuates response to anti-PD1 therapy by stabilizing c-Myc in colorectal cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:107. [PMID: 38302412 PMCID: PMC10834545 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06469-0] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PDL1)/programmed cell death 1 (PD1) blockade immunotherapy provides a prospective strategy for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), but various constraints on the effectiveness of the treatment are still remaining. As reported in previous studies, follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) could mediate inflammatory response in macrophages by induction lipid accumulation. Herein, we revealed that FSTL3 were overexpressed in malignant cells in the CRC microenvironment, notably, the expression level of FSTL3 was related to tumor immune evasion and the clinical efficacy of anti-PD1 therapy. Further studies determined that hypoxic tumor microenvironment induced the FSTL3 expression via HIF1α in CRC cells, FSTL3 could bind to the transcription factor c-Myc (354-406 amino acids) to suppress the latter's ubiquitination and increase its stability, thereby to up-regulated the expression of PDL1 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). The results in the immunocompetent tumor models verified that FSLT3 knockout in tumor cells increased the proportion of CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment, reduced the proportion of regulatory T cells (CD25+ Foxp3+) and exhausted T cells (PD1+ CD8+), and synergistically improved the anti-PD1 therapy efficacy. To sum up, FSTL3 enhanced c-Myc-mediated transcriptional regulation to promote immune evasion and attenuates response to anti-PD1 therapy in CRC, suggesting the potential of FSTL3 as a biomarker of immunotherapeutic efficacy as well as a novel immunotherapeutic target in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Li
- Department of general surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Na Zheng
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Anning Guo
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weiwei Tang
- Hepatobiliary/Liver Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Muxin Li
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuanyuan Cao
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinhua Ma
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongyong Cao
- Department of general surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yong Ma
- Department of general surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Hanjin Wang
- Department of general surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Shuli Zhao
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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Li JP, Liu YJ, Yin Y, Li RN, Huang W, Zou X. Stroma-associated FSTL3 is a factor of calcium channel-derived tumor fibrosis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21317. [PMID: 38044354 PMCID: PMC10694158 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48574-8] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most widespread histological form of primary liver cancer, and it faces great diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties owing to its tumor diversity. Herein, we aim to establish a unique prognostic molecular subtype (MST) and based on this to find potential therapeutic targets to develop new immunotherapeutic strategies. Using calcium channel molecules expression-based consensus clustering, we screened 371 HCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas to screen for possible MSTs. We distinguished core differential gene modules between varying MSTs, and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion scores were employed for the reliable assessment of HCC patient immunotherapeutic response rate. Immunohistochemistry and Immunofluorescence staining were used for validation of predicted immunotherapy outcomes and underlying biological mechanisms, respectively. We identified two MSTs with different clinical characteristics and prognoses. Based on the significant differences between the two MSTs, we further identified Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) as a potential indicator of immunotherapy resistance and validated this result in our own cohort. Finally, we found that FSTL3 is predominantly expressed in HCC stromal components and that it is a factor in enhancing fibroblast-M2 macrophage signaling crosstalk, the function of which is relevant to the pathogenesis of HCC. The presence of two MSTs associated with the calcium channel phenotype in HCC patients may provide promising directions for overcoming immunotherapy resistance in HCC, and the promotion of FSTL3 expressed in stromal components for HCC hyperfibrosis may be responsible for the poor response rate to immunotherapy in Cluster 2 (C2) patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Pin Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor System Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- No. 1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan-Jie Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- No. 1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Yin
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- No. 1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ruo-Nan Li
- Shihezi Labor Personnel Dispute Arbitration Committee, Shihezi, 832000, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
- No. 1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xi Zou
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
- No. 1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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Ibrahim HM, Abdelrahman AE, Elwan A, Bakry A, Fahmy MM, Abdelhamid MI, Abdelwanis AH, Fouad EM. Prognostic Impact of FSTL3, ADAM12, and FAT4 in Patients of Colon Cancer: Clinicopathologic Study. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2023; 31:673-681. [PMID: 37751246 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000001157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
There is a cellular crosstalk between Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo/Yes-related protein 1 signaling paths in colon cancer (CC) which promotes EMT processes that mediate the metastatic progression of CC. We aimed to evaluate follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3), ADAM12, and FAT4 expressions in CC. A statistical analysis was done to establish how disease-free survival, overall survival (OS), and relapse all performed a prognostic role. High FSTL3 was detected in 68% of CC and significantly related to left-sided tumors ( P = 0.002) and the advanced tumor features, such as metastasis ( P = 0.010), pT ( P = 0.006), high grade ( P = 0.005), lymph node contribution ( P = 0.013), and advanced stage ( P = 0.003). Positive ADAM12 expression was observed in 60% and significantly related to left-sided tumors ( P = 0.001) and significantly common in high grade ( P = 0.028), lymph node involvement ( P < 0.001), and advanced stage ( P = 0.004). Low FAT4 expression was recognized in 76% and linked with the right-sided tumors ( P = 0.036). FAT4 expression was contrariwise linked with CC grade ( P < 0.001). Furthermore, FAT4 expression was inversely correlated with lymph node involvement ( P = 0.002), metastasis ( P = 0.046), and advanced stage ( P = 0.002). During the follow-up, 14 cases were relapsed and positively associated with high FSTL3 expression ( P = 0.001) and ADAM12 expression ( P < 0.001), but negatively linked with FAT4 expression ( P = 0.003). Shorter disease-free survival was substantially correlated with positive ADAM12, extreme FSTL3, and low FAT4 expression ( P < 0.001, P = 0.002, P = 0.003, consecutively). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated a significant correlation between shorter OS with extreme FSTL3, positive ADAM12, and low FAT4 ( P = 0.004, <0.001, 0.019, consecutively). High FSTL3, positive ADAM12, and low FAT4 expression are unfavorable prognostic influences in CC that may be accountable for relapse and therapeutic resistance in CC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amira Elwan
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine
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Yang H, Liu J, Jiang P, Li P, Zhou Y, Zhang Z, Zeng Q, Wang M, Xiao LX, Zhang X, Sun Y, Zhu S. An Analysis of the Gene Expression Associated with Lymph Node Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Genomics 2023; 2023:9942663. [PMID: 37719786 PMCID: PMC10501847 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9942663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to explore the genes regulating lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC) and to clarify their relationship with tumor immune cell infiltration and patient prognoses. Methods The data sets of CRC patients were collected through the Cancer Gene Atlas database; the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with CRC lymph node metastasis were screened; a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed; the top 20 hub genes were selected; the Gene Ontology functions and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were enriched and analyzed. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression method was employed to further screen the characteristic genes associated with CRC lymph node metastasis in 20 hub genes, exploring the correlation between the characteristic genes and immune cell infiltration, conducting a univariate COX analysis on the characteristic genes, obtaining survival-related genes, constructing a risk score formula, conducting a Kaplan-Meier analysis based on the risk score formula, and performing a multivariate COX regression analysis on the clinical factors and risk scores. Results A total of 62 DEGs associated with CRC lymph node metastasis were obtained. Among the 20 hub genes identified via PPI, only calcium-activated chloride channel regulator 1 (CLCA1) expression was down-regulated in lymph node metastasis, and the rest were up-regulated. A total of nine characteristic genes associated with CRC lymph node metastasis (KIF1A, TMEM59L, CLCA1, COL9A3, GDF5, TUBB2B, STMN2, FOXN1, and SCN5A) were screened using the LASSO regression method. The nine characteristic genes were significantly related to different kinds of immune cell infiltration, from which three survival-related genes (TMEM59L, CLCA1, and TUBB2B) were screened. A multi-factor COX regression showed that the risk scores obtained from TMEM59L, CLCA1, and TUBB2B were independent prognostic factors. Immunohistochemical validation was performed in tissue samples from patients with rectal and colon cancer. Conclusion TMEM59L, CLCA1, and TUBB2B were independent prognostic factors associated with lymphatic metastasis of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Yang
- Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiafei Liu
- Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin, China
- The Institute of Translational Medicine, Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Peishi Jiang
- Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin, China
- The Institute of Translational Medicine, Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Peng Li
- Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin, China
- The Institute of Translational Medicine, Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuanda Zhou
- Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin, China
- The Institute of Translational Medicine, Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhichun Zhang
- Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin, China
- The Institute of Translational Medicine, Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingsheng Zeng
- Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin, China
- The Institute of Translational Medicine, Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Min Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Luciena Xiao Xiao
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Xipeng Zhang
- Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin, China
- The Institute of Translational Medicine, Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin, China
- The Institute of Translational Medicine, Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Siwei Zhu
- Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- The Institute of Translational Medicine, Tianjin Union Medical Center of Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Oncology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
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5
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Zhang D, Zhao Y, Wang S, Wang X, Sun Y. A Prognostic Model of Angiogenesis and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Related Genes Manipulating Tumor Microenvironment in Colon Cancer. J Cancer 2023; 14:2109-2127. [PMID: 37497410 PMCID: PMC10367930 DOI: 10.7150/jca.85778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is one of the most common carcinomas worldwide. The main causes of cancer-related mortality of COAD are metastases. The fundamental processes for how angiogenesis and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) contributing to tumor progression and metastasis are still uncertain. In our study, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-COAD dataset (train set) and GSE17536 (test set) were analyzed. Angiogenesis potential index (API) and NETs potential index (NPI) based on angiogenesis and NETs-related genes were respectively built using bioinformatic methods and machine learning algorithms. Subjects were split into groups with low API/NPI or high API/NPI. Survival analysis showed the high API and high NPI patients with the worst survival compared with the others. Between the high API/NPI group and the other groups, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found. A four-gene signature (TIMP1, FSL3, CALB2, and FABP4) was included in a risk model based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis. Additionally, the model displayed a significant association with many immune microenvironment characteristics. Finally, we verified the clinical significance of CALB2 expression and its role to promote the invasion and migration of colon cancer cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Colorectal Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shirui Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Colorectal Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Colorectal Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yueming Sun
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Colorectal Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Zhang Y, Zhou J, Li H, Liu Y, Li J. Prediction of risk and clinical outcome of cuproptosis in lung squamous carcinoma. BMC Pulm Med 2023; 23:205. [PMID: 37308925 PMCID: PMC10258956 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-023-02490-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is an important subtype of non-small cell lung cancer. Its special clinicopathological features and molecular background determine the limitations of its treatment. A recent study published on Science defined a newly regulatory cell death (RCD) form - cuproptosis. Which manifested as an excessive intracellular copper accumulation, mitochondrial respiration-dependent, protein acylation-mediated cell death. Different from apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis and other forms of regulatory cell death (RCD). The imbalance of copper homeostasis in vivo will trigger cytotoxicity and further affect the occurrence and progression of tumors. Our study is the first to predict the prognosis and immune landscape of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in LUSC. METHODS The RNA-seq profiles and clinical data of LUSC patients were downloaded from TCGA and GEO databases and then combined into a novel cohort. R language packages are used to analyze and process the data, and CRGs related to the prognosis of LUSC were screened according to the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). After analyzed the tumor mutation burden (TMB), copy number variation (CNV) and CRGs interaction network. Based on CRGs and DEGs, cluster analysis was used to classify LUSC patients twice. The selected key genes were used to construct a CRGs prognostic model to further analyze the correlation between LUSC immune cell infiltration and immunity. Through the risk score and clinical factors, a more accurate nomogram was further constructed. Finally, the drug sensitivity of CRGs in LUSC was analyzed. RESULTS Patients with LUSC were divided into different cuproptosis subtypes and gene clusters, showing different levels of immune infiltration. The risk score showed that the high-risk group had higher tumor microenvironment score, lower tumor mutation load frequency and worse prognosis than the low-risk group. In addition, the high-risk group was more sensitive to vinorelbine, cisplatin, paclitaxel, doxorubicin, etoposide and other drugs. CONCLUSIONS Through bioinformatics analysis, we successfully constructed a prognostic risk assessment model based on CRGs, which can not only accurately predict the prognosis of LUSC patients, but also evaluate the patient 's immune infiltration status and sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs. This model shows satisfactory predictive results and provides a reference for subsequent tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jia Zhou
- Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Yinchuan, Ningxi, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Surgical Oncology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Yaobang Liu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Jinping Li
- Department of Surgical Oncology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China.
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Li C, Fang C, Chan M, Chen C, Chang Y, Hsiao M. The cytoplasmic expression of FSTL3 correlates with colorectal cancer progression, metastasis status and prognosis. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:672-686. [PMID: 36807490 PMCID: PMC9983317 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Follistatin-like (FSTL) family members are associated with cancer progression. However, differences between FSTL members with identical cancer types have not been systematically investigated. Among the most malignant tumours worldwide, colorectal cancer (CRC) has high metastatic potential and chemoresistance, which makes it challenging to treat. A systematic examination of the relationship between the expression of FSTL family members in CRC will provide valuable information for prognosis and therapeutic development. Based on large cohort survival analyses, we determined that FSTL3 was associated with a significantly worse prognosis in CRC at the RNA and protein levels. Immunohistochemistry staining of CRC specimens revealed that FSTL3 expression levels in the cytosol were significantly associated with a poor prognosis in terms of overall and disease-free survival. Molecular simulation analysis showed that FSTL3 participated in multiple cell motility signalling pathways via the TGF-β1/TWIST1 axis to control CRC metastasis. The findings provide evidence of the significance of FSTL3 in the oncogenesis and metastasis of CRC. FSTL3 may be useful as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker, and as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chih‐Yeu Fang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan
| | | | - Chi‐Long Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan,Department of PathologyTaipei Medical University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Yu‐Chan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological SciencesNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Michael Hsiao
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan,Department of BiochemistryKaohsiung Medical UniversityKaohsiungTaiwan
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8
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Zhao ZX, Liu QL, Yuan Y, Wang FS. Synaptophysin-like 2 expression correlates with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 14:2122-2137. [PMID: 36438706 PMCID: PMC9694275 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i11.2122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and fatal cancers worldwide. Synaptophysin-like 2 (SYPL2) is a neuroendocrine-related protein highly expressed in skeletal muscle and the tongue. The involvement of SYPL2 in CRC, including its level of expression and function, has not been evaluated.
AIM To evaluate the correlations of SYPL2 expression with lymph node metastasis (LNM) and prognosis in patients with CRC.
METHODS The levels of expression of SYPL2 in CRC and normal colorectal tissues were analyzed in multiple public and online databases. The associations between clinical variables and SYPL2 expression were evaluated statistically, and the associations between SYPL2 expression and prognosis in patients with CRC were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and univariate/multivariate Cox regression analyses. SYPL2 expression was assessed in 20 paired CRC tissue and adjacent normal colorectal tissue samples obtained from Fuyang People’s Hospital, and the associations between SYPL2 expression and the clinical characteristics of these patients were investigated. Correlations between the levels of expression of SYPL2 and key targeted genes were determined by Pearson’s correlation analysis. The distribution of immune cells in these samples was calculated using the CIBERSORT algorithm. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to evaluate the biofunction and pathways of SYPL2 in CRC.
RESULTS SYPL2 expression was significantly lower in CRC tissue samples than in normal colorectal tissue samples (P < 0.05). High SYPL2 levels in CRC tissues correlated significantly with LNM (P < 0.05) and a poorer patient prognosis, including significantly shorter overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.9, P < 0.05] and disease-free survival (HR = 1.6, P < 0.05). High SYPL2 expression was an independent risk factor for OS in both univariate (HR = 2.078, P = 0.014) and multivariate (HR = 1.754, P = 0.018) Cox regression analyses. In addition, SYPL2 expression correlated significantly with the expression of KDR (P < 0.0001, r = 0.47) and the BRAFV600E mutation (P < 0.05). Higher SYPL2 expression was associated with the enrichment of CD8 T-cells and M0 macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. GSEA revealed that SYPL2 was associated with the regulation of epithelial cell migration, vasculature development, pathways in cancer, and several vital tumor-related pathways.
CONCLUSION SYPL2 expression was lower in CRC tissue than in normal colorectal tissue. Higher SYPL2 expression in CRC was significantly associated with LNM and poorer survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zong-Xian Zhao
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Fuyang People’s Hospital, Fuyang 236000, Anhui Province, China
| | - Qin-Lingfei Liu
- Department of Digestive Internal Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yao Yuan
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Fuyang People’s Hospital, Fuyang 236000, Anhui Province, China
| | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Fuyang People’s Hospital, Fuyang 236000, Anhui Province, China
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Tian S, Xu X, Yang X, Fan L, Jiao Y, Zheng M, Zhang S. Roles of follistatin-like protein 3 in human non-tumor pathophysiologies and cancers. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:953551. [PMID: 36325361 PMCID: PMC9619213 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.953551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Follistatin-like protein 3 (FSTL3) is a type of FSTLs. By interacting with a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 12 (ADAM12), transforming growth factor-β ligands (activin, myostatin and growth differentiation factor (GDF) 11), FSTL3 can either activate or inhibit these molecules in human non-tumor pathophysiologies and cancers. The FSTL3 gene was initially discovered in patients with in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and subsequent studies have shown that the FSTL3 protein is associated with reproductive development, insulin resistance, and hematopoiesis. FSTL3 reportedly contributes to the development and progression of many cancers by promoting tumor metastasis, facilitating angiogenesis, and inducing stem cell differentiation. This review summarizes the current pathophysiological roles of FSTL3, which may be a putative prognostic biomarker for various diseases and serve as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifeng Tian
- Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoyi Xu
- Department of Stomatology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaohui Yang
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Linlin Fan
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuqi Jiao
- Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Minying Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Shiwu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Shiwu Zhang,
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Dong S, Zhang S, Zhao P, Lin G, Ma X, Xu J, Zhang H, Hu J, Zou C. A combined analysis of bulk and single-cell sequencing data reveals that depleted extracellular matrix and enhanced immune processes co-contribute to fluorouracil beneficial responses in gastric cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:999551. [PMID: 36189263 PMCID: PMC9520597 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.999551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorouracil, also known as 5-FU, is one of the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer (GC). Whereas, the presence of innate or acquired resistance largely limits its survival benefit in GC patients. Although accumulated studies have demonstrated the involvement of tumor microenvironments (TMEs) in chemo-resistance induction, so far little is known about the relevance of GC TMEs in 5-FU resistance. To this end, in this study, we investigated the relationship between TME features and 5-FU responses in GC patients using a combined analysis involving both bulk sequencing data from the TCGA database and single-cell RNA sequencing data from the GEO database. We found that depleted extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as capillary/stroma cells and enhanced immune processes such as increased number of M1 polarized macrophages/Memory T cells/Natural Killer T cells/B cells and decreased number of regulatory T cells are two important features relating to 5-FU beneficial responses in GC patients, especially in diffuse-type patients. We further validated these two features in the tumor tissues of 5-FU-benefit GC patients using immunofluorescence staining experiments. Based on this finding, we also established a Pro (63 genes) and Con (199 genes) gene cohort that could predict 5-FU responses in GC with an AUC (area under curve) score of 0.90 in diffuse-type GC patients, and further proved the partial applicability of this gene panel pan-cancer-wide. Moreover, we identified possible communications mediated by heparanase and galectin-1 which could regulate ECM remodeling and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) reshaping. Altogether, these findings deciphered the relationship between GC TMEs and 5-FU resistance for the first time, as well as provided potential therapeutic targets and predicting rationale to overcome this chemo-resistance, which could shed some light on developing novel precision treatment strategies in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowei Dong
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Jinan University (Shenzhen People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, China
- Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China
| | - Siyu Zhang
- School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pan Zhao
- School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guanchuan Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoshi Ma
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Jinan University (Shenzhen People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Xu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Jinan University (Shenzhen People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Institute of Precision Cancer Medicine and Pathology, Jinan University Medical College, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiliang Hu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Jinan University (Shenzhen People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Engineering Technological Research Center for Nervous Anatomy and Related Clinical Applications, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chang Zou
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Jinan University (Shenzhen People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, China
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China
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Small Extracellular Vesicles: Key Forces Mediating the Development and Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111780. [PMID: 35681475 PMCID: PMC9179504 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111780] [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: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, and its incidence and mortality rates have been increasing annually in recent years. A variety of different small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are important mediators of intercellular communication and have an important role in tumor metastasis and progression. The development and metastasis of CRC are closely linked to tumor-cell-derived sEVs, non-tumor-cell-derived sEVs, and intestinal-microbiota-derived sEVs. Numerous studies have shown that the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a key component in the regulation of CRC proliferation, development, and metastasis. These sEVs can create a TME conducive to CRC growth and metastasis by forming an immunosuppressive microenvironment, remodeling the extracellular matrix, and promoting tumor cell metabolism. Therefore, in this paper, we review the role of different types of sEVs in colorectal cancer development and metastasis. Furthermore, based on the properties of sEVs, we further discuss the use of sEVs as early biomarkers for colorectal cancer diagnosis and the potential for their use in the treatment of CRC.
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Identification of Significant Secreted or Membrane-Located Proteins in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:9089397. [PMID: 35655921 PMCID: PMC9153386 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9089397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. This study is aimed at investigating the expressions and prognostic values of secreted or membrane-located proteins (SMPs) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). The correlations between the expressions of SMPs and immune cells’ infiltrations were also investigated. Methods. The expression data of normal laryngeal and LSCC samples were obtained from the TCGA and GEO datasets. The differentially expressed SMPs were identified, and their prognostic values were analyzed. The biological functions of differentially expressed and worse-survival-related SMPs were explored. LASSO regression, Cox multivariate analysis, and nomogram were used to construct a model to predict the survival. Then, the infiltrations of the 24 immune cell populations were calculated using the GSVA method, and the correlations between the expression of SMPs and the immune infiltration were investigated. Results. 122 samples (12 normal and 120 LSCC) of the TCGA database and 114 samples (57 normal and 57 LSCC) of GSE127165 were included. We identified that 138 SMPs were significantly upregulated in LSCC samples of both the TCGA and GEO datasets, among which 52 SMPs were significantly correlated with worse survival. GO and KEGG analyses revealed those 52 SMPs significantly participate in tumor microenvironment and immune cells’ communication. Nine of 52 SMPs (ABCC5, ATP1B3, CLEC11A, FLNA, FSTL3, MMP1, NME1, OAS3, and PHLDB2) were included in the nomogram to effectively and accurately predict the LSCC patients’ survival. The expressions of most SMPs, such as MMP1 and FSTL3, were significantly positively correlated with the immune infiltration of LSCC. Conclusions. In this study, the expression, prognostic values, and correlations with immune infiltration of SMPs were analyzed in LSCC samples. Our analyses identified several significant SMPs differentially expressed between normal laryngeal and LSCC samples, correlated with worse survival, and related to the immune infiltration.
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Zhu H, Jiang W, Zhu H, Hu J, Tang B, Zhou Z, He X. Elevation of ADAM12 facilitates tumor progression by enhancing metastasis and immune infiltration in gastric cancer. Int J Oncol 2022; 60:51. [PMID: 35315496 PMCID: PMC8973920 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A disintegrin and metalloprotease 12 (ADAM12), an essential transmembrane protein with metalloprotease, cell binding and intracellular signal-regulating capabilities, has been reported to play a crucial role in various types of cancers. However, the biological function of ADAM12 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. Bioinformatic and experimental analyses were used to determine the expression level and prognostic value of ADAM12 in GC. The level of DNA methylation and the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was identified using MethSurv, Starbase3.0, miRNet2.0 and experimental analyses. Then, the co-expression profiles of ADAM12 were determined and subjected to enrichment analysis using the LinkedOmics database. The protein-protein interaction network and the docking model of ADAM12 were constructed using the GeneMANIA, STRING, and HDOCK webservers. The role of ADAM12 in tumor metastasis and immune infiltration was investigated using in vitro assays and TIMER database exploration. It was found that ADAM12 was overexpressed and was correlated with a poor prognosis of GC patients. In addition, the aberrant DNA methylation status and ceRNA regulation may contribute to the upregulation of ADAM12 in GC. Moreover, the enrichment analysis revealed that ADAM12 is involved in multiple vital biological functions and pathways, such as 'macrophage activation', 'extracellular matrix binding' and 'ECM-receptor interaction'. Subsequently, the protein-protein interaction network and molecular docking model demonstrated that follistatin like 3 (FSTL3) is a potential binding partner of ADAM12. Finally, it was demonstrated that ADAM12 promotes tumor metastasis, immune infiltration and M2 macrophage polarization in GC. In summary, these results highlight the potential of ADAM12 to be used as a therapeutic target for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Haixing Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Jinwei Hu
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Bingge Tang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Xinyang He
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
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