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Zhang X, Wang W, Lu C, Zhang H. KLF4 suppresses the proliferation of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma by negatively regulating GDF15 and phosphorylating AKT. Oncol Rep 2023; 50:222. [PMID: 37937607 PMCID: PMC10652240 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8659] [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: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel‑like factor 4 (KLF4) is a transcription factor which functions as a tumor suppressor or an oncogene in numerous types of solid tumors. However, its expression levels and function in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) have yet to be elucidated. In the present study, in order to investigate its roles in pCCA, reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR (RT‑qPCR), western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to detect KLF4 expression in pCCA. The Chi‑squared test was used to analyze the associations between KLF4 and the clinicopathological features of patients with pCCA. Univariate and multivariate analyses were subsequently used to analyze the prognostic significance of KLF4. The tumor suppression of KLF4 was investigated for the purposes of illustrating its biological function both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the association between KLF4 and growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) was determined using pCCA tissue microarray (TMA) analysis and RT‑qPCR. The underlying molecular mechanisms between KLF4 and GDF15 were subsequently investigated in vitro. In pCCA tissues, KLF4 was found to be downregulated, and this was negatively associated with the histological grade and tumor size. The knockdown of KLF4 was also found to be a prognostic indicator of the poorer survival of patients with pCCA. Based on in vitro and in vivo analyses, KLF4 was found to suppress tumor progression and induce cell apoptosis. Furthermore, it was found that KLF4 executed its tumor suppressive effects via the regulation of the GDF15/AKT signaling pathway. Taken together, the findings of the present study demonstrate that KLF4 may be considered as an independent biomarker of a favorable prognosis of patients with pCCA, and the KLF4/GDF15/AKT signaling pathway may potentially be a novel molecular therapeutic target for patients with pCCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Zhang
- General Surgery Center of Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Weijia Wang
- General Surgery Center of Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Chunlei Lu
- General Surgery Center of Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- General Surgery Center of Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
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Zeng YT, Liu WF, Zheng PS, Li S. GDF15 deficiency hinders human trophoblast invasion to mediate pregnancy loss through downregulating Smad1/5 phosphorylation. iScience 2023; 26:107902. [PMID: 37766993 PMCID: PMC10520888 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) belongs to the Transforming growth factor β(TGF-β) superfamily. The decrease of GDF15 in the serum of pregnant women was associated with miscarriage. Both IHC and ELISA assays showed that GDF15 in trophoblast tissue and serum of pregnant women who miscarried was significantly lower than in those who had a live birth. GDF15 deficiency was associated with embryo resorption in GDF15 knockout mice through CRIPSR editing. In addition, the migration and invasion ability of HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells were promoted by GDF15. Mechanistically, GDF15 increased Smad1/5 phosphorylation, resulting in upregulating SNAI1/2, VIMENTIN and downregulating E-CADHERIN. A dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that Smad-binding elements (SBE) and/or GC-rich motifs were activated and target genes such as SNAI1/2, SERPINE1, and TIMP3 were transcriptionally regulated by GDF15/Smad5 signaling. Therefore, our data revealed a crucial role of GDF15 on invasion of trophoblast by upregulating the activity of TGF-β/Smad1/5 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Zeng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wen-Fang Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peng-Sheng Zheng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shan Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Liao J, Gan Y, Peng M, Giri M, Yang S, Gu L, Li A, Xiao R, He C, Li Y, Bai Y, Xu L, Guo S. GDF15 alleviates the progression of benign tracheobronchial stenosis by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and inactivating fibroblasts. Exp Cell Res 2022; 421:113410. [PMID: 36336027 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Benign tracheobronchial stenosis (BTS) is a fatal and incurable disease. Epithelial repair and matrix reconstruction play an important role in the wound repair process. If the interstitial context is not restored and stabilized in time, it can lead to pathological fibrosis. Here we attempted to identify cytokines that are involved in promoting wound repair. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a cytokine secreted by tracheal epithelial cells, which is indispensable for the growth of epithelial cells and inhibits the overgrowth of fibroblasts. GDF15 can counteract transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ1) stimulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tracheal epithelial cells and inhibit fibroblast activation via the TGFβ1-SMAD2/3 pathway. In a rat model of tracheal stenosis, GDF15 supplementation alleviated the degree of tracheal stenosis. These results suggest that GDF15 prevents fibroblast hyperactivation and promotes epithelial repair in injured trachea. GDF15 may be a potential therapy to improve benign tracheobronchial stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Liao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yiling Gan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Mingyu Peng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Mohan Giri
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Shu Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Lei Gu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Anmao Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Rui Xiao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Chunyan He
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yishi Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yang Bai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
| | - Shuliang Guo
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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Sugimoto M, Suzuki R, Nozawa Y, Takagi T, Konno N, Asama H, Sato Y, Irie H, Nakamura J, Takasumi M, Hashimoto M, Kato T, Kobashi R, Suzuki O, Hashimoto Y, Hikichi T, Ohira H. Clinical usefulness and acceleratory effect of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 on biliary tract cancer: an experimental biomarker analysis. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:250. [PMID: 35948981 PMCID: PMC9367137 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02668-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biliary tract cancer (BTC) has a poor prognosis; therefore, useful biomarkers and treatments are needed. Serum levels of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1), a member of the TGF-β superfamily, are elevated in patients with pancreaticobiliary cancers. However, the effect of MIC-1 on BTC is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effect of MIC-1 on BTC and assessed whether MIC-1 is a biomarker of or therapeutic target for BTC. METHODS MIC-1 expression in BTC cells was determined by performing histological immunostaining, tissue microarray (TMA), western blotting, and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Cell culture experiments were performed to investigate the effect of MIC-1 on BTC cell lines (HuCCT-1 and TFK-1). The relationships between serum MIC-1 levels and either the disease state or the serum level of the apoptosis marker M30 were retrospectively verified in 118 patients with pancreaticobiliary disease (individuals with benign disease served as a control group, n = 62; BTC, n = 56). The most efficient diagnostic marker for BTC was also investigated. RESULTS MIC-1 expression was confirmed in BTC tissue specimens and was higher in BTC cells than in normal bile duct epithelial cells, as determined using TMA, western blotting and RT-PCR. In cell culture experiments, MIC-1 increased BTC cell proliferation and invasion by preventing apoptosis and inhibited the effect of gemcitabine. In serum analyses, serum MIC-1 levels showed a positive correlation with BTC progression and serum M30 levels. The ability to diagnose BTC at an early stage or at all stages was improved using the combination of MIC-1 and M30. The overall survival was significantly longer in BTC patients with serum MIC-1 < the median than in BTC patients with serum MIC-1 ≥ the median. CONCLUSIONS MIC-1 is a useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and might be a potential therapeutic target for BTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuru Sugimoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.
| | - Rei Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Nozawa
- Department of Pathology, Shirakawa Kousei General Hospital, Shirakawa, Japan
| | - Tadayuki Takagi
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Naoki Konno
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Asama
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yuki Sato
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiroki Irie
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Jun Nakamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.,Department of Endoscopy, Fukushima Medical University Hospital, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Mika Takasumi
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Minami Hashimoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.,Department of Endoscopy, Fukushima Medical University Hospital, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tsunetaka Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.,Department of Endoscopy, Fukushima Medical University Hospital, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Ryoichiro Kobashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Osamu Suzuki
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yuko Hashimoto
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Takuto Hikichi
- Department of Endoscopy, Fukushima Medical University Hospital, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Ohira
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
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Sadrkhanloo M, Entezari M, Orouei S, Ghollasi M, Fathi N, Rezaei S, Hejazi ES, Kakavand A, Saebfar H, Hashemi M, Goharrizi MASB, Salimimoghadam S, Rashidi M, Taheriazam A, Samarghandian S. STAT3-EMT axis in tumors: modulation of cancer metastasis, stemness and therapy response. Pharmacol Res 2022; 182:106311. [PMID: 35716914 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism is responsible for metastasis of tumor cells and their spread to various organs and tissues of body, providing undesirable prognosis. In addition to migration, EMT increases stemness and mediates therapy resistance. Hence, pathways involved in EMT regulation should be highlighted. STAT3 is an oncogenic pathway that can elevate growth rate and migratory ability of cancer cells and induce drug resistance. The inhibition of STAT3 signaling impairs cancer progression and promotes chemotherapy-mediated cell death. Present review focuses on STAT3 and EMT interaction in modulating cancer migration. First of all, STAT3 is an upstream mediator of EMT and is able to induce EMT-mediated metastasis in brain tumors, thoracic cancers and gastrointestinal cancers. Therefore, STAT3 inhibition significantly suppresses cancer metastasis and improves prognosis of patients. EMT regulators such as ZEB1/2 proteins, TGF-β, Twist, Snail and Slug are affected by STAT3 signaling to stimulate cancer migration and invasion. Different molecular pathways such as miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs modulate STAT3/EMT axis. Furthermore, we discuss how STAT3 and EMT interaction affects therapy response of cancer cells. Finally, we demonstrate targeting STAT3/EMT axis by anti-tumor agents and clinical application of this axis for improving patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdokht Sadrkhanloo
- Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Orouei
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Ghollasi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nikoo Fathi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shamin Rezaei
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elahe Sadat Hejazi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirabbas Kakavand
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Saebfar
- European University Association, League of European Research Universities, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Shokooh Salimimoghadam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Saeed Samarghandian
- Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
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