1
|
Marzęta-Assas P, Jacenik D, Zasłona Z. Pathophysiology of Arginases in Cancer and Efforts in Their Pharmacological Inhibition. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9782. [PMID: 39337272 PMCID: PMC11431790 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25189782] [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: 08/05/2024] [Revised: 09/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Arginases are key enzymes that hydrolyze L-arginine to urea and L-ornithine in the urea cycle. The two arginase isoforms, arginase 1 (ARG1) and arginase 2 (ARG2), regulate the proliferation of cancer cells, migration, and apoptosis; affect immunosuppression; and promote the synthesis of polyamines, leading to the development of cancer. Arginases also compete with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) for L-arginine, and their participation has also been confirmed in cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and inflammation. Due to the fact that arginases play a crucial role in the development of various types of diseases, finding an appropriate candidate to inhibit the activity of these enzymes would be beneficial for the therapy of many human diseases. In this review, based on numerous experimental, preclinical, and clinical studies, we provide a comprehensive overview of the biological and physiological functions of ARG1 and ARG2, their molecular mechanisms of action, and affected metabolic pathways. We summarize the recent clinical trials' advances in targeting arginases and describe potential future drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Damian Jacenik
- Molecure S.A., 101 Żwirki i Wigury St., 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 141/143 Pomorska St., 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yang H, You L, Wang Z, Yang L, Wang X, Wu W, Zhi H, Rong G, Sheng Y, Liu X, Liu L. Bile duct ligation elevates 5-HT levels in cerebral cortex of rats partly due to impairment of brain UGT1A6 expression and activity via ammonia accumulation. Redox Biol 2024; 69:103019. [PMID: 38163420 PMCID: PMC10794929 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.103019] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is often associated with endogenous serotonin (5-HT) disorders. However, the reason for elevated brain 5-HT levels due to liver failure remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which liver failure increases brain 5-HT levels and the role in behavioral abnormalities in HE. Using bile duct ligation (BDL) rats as a HE model, we verified the elevated 5-HT levels in the cortex but not in the hippocampus and striatum, and found that this cortical 5-HT overload may be caused by BDL-mediated inhibition of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A6 (UGT1A6) expression and activity in the cortex. The intraventricular injection of the UGT1A6 inhibitor diclofenac into rats demonstrated that the inhibition of brain UGT1A6 activity significantly increased cerebral 5-HT levels and induced HE-like behaviors. Co-immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated that UGT1A6 is primarily expressed in astrocytes. In vitro studies confirmed that NH4Cl activates the ROS-ERK pathway to downregulate UGT1A6 activity and expression in U251 cells, which can be reversed by the oxidative stress antagonist N-acetyl-l-cysteine and the ERK inhibitor U0126. Silencing Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α (HNF4α) suppressed UGT1A6 expression whilst overexpressing HNF4α increased Ugt1a6 promotor activity. Meanwhile, both NH4Cl and the ERK activator TBHQ downregulated HNF4α and UGT1A6 expression. In the cortex of hyperammonemic rats, we also found activation of the ROS-ERK pathway, decreases in HNF4α and UGT1A6 expression, and increases in brain 5-HT content. These results prove that the ammonia-mediated ROS-ERK pathway activation inhibits HNF4α expression to downregulate UGT1A6 expression and activity, thereby increasing cerebral 5-HT content and inducing manic-like HE symptoms. This is the first study to reveal the mechanism of elevated cortical 5-HT concentration in a state of liver failure and elucidate its association with manic-like behaviors in HE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Linjun You
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhongyan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Wenhan Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Hao Zhi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Guangmei Rong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yun Sheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li Z, Quan C, Li W, Ji M. Synergistic effect of docetaxel combined with a novel multi-target inhibitor CUDC-101 on inhibiting human prostate cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 252:154938. [PMID: 37989076 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154938] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are commonly overexpressed in several types of human cancers, including prostate cancer (PCa). Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are emerging as promising tools for cancer therapy. However, there is still a need to understand their anti-tumor effects and the mechanisms underlying their action. In our study, we investigated the effects of co-treatment with CUDC-101 and docetaxel (DTX) on cell growth, clonogenicity, invasion and migration of PCa cells both in vitro, and in a xenograft mouse model. We found that the combination of CUDC-101 and DTX significantly reduced tumor growth, as evidenced by lower tumor weight and volumes. Moreover, apoptotic cell death was increased in the combination group compared to either drug alone or control. Mechanistically, we observed that the combined treatment of CUDC-101 with DTX suppressed the progression of PCa cell lines through the AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Additionally, this combination treatment reversed EMT by modulating the expression of key markers such as E-cadherin, vimentin, Snail and MMP-9. To conclude, these results demonstrated that the combination of CUDC-101 with DTX had a synergistic and significantly improved anti-carcinogenic effect. This combination may serve as a potential strategy for clinical treatment and prognosis improvement in PCa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenling Li
- Department of Pathology, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji, Jilin 133000, China.
| | - Chunji Quan
- Department of Pathology, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji, Jilin 133000, China
| | - Wenhao Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji, Jilin 133000, China
| | - Meiying Ji
- Research Center of Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji, Jilin 133000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mouratidou C, Pavlidis ET, Katsanos G, Kotoulas SC, Mouloudi E, Tsoulfas G, Galanis IN, Pavlidis TE. Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion syndrome and its effect on the cardiovascular system: The role of treprostinil, a synthetic prostacyclin analog. World J Gastrointest Surg 2023; 15:1858-1870. [PMID: 37901735 PMCID: PMC10600776 DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v15.i9.1858] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion syndrome has been the subject of intensive study and experimentation in recent decades since it is responsible for the outcome of several clinical entities, such as major hepatic resections and liver transplantation. In addition to the organ's post reperfusion injury, this syndrome appears to play a central role in the dysfunction of distant tissues and systems. Thus, continuous research should be directed toward finding effective therapeutic options to improve the outcome and reduce the postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. Treprostinil is a synthetic analog of prostaglandin I2, and its experimental administration has shown encouraging results. It has already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States for pulmonary arterial hypertension and has been used in liver transplantation, where preliminary encouraging results showed its safety and feasibility by using continuous intravenous administration at a dose of 5 ng/kg/min. Treprostinil improves renal and hepatic function, diminishes hepatic oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, reduces hepatictoll-like receptor 9 and inflammation, inhibits hepatic apoptosis and restores hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels and ATP synthases, which is necessary for functional maintenance of mitochondria. Treprostinil exhibits vasodilatory properties and antiplatelet activity and regulates proinflammatory cytokines; therefore, it can potentially minimize ischemia-reperfusion injury. Additionally, it may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular parameters, and much current research interest is concentrated on this compound.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Efstathios T Pavlidis
- 2nd Propedeutic Department of Surgery, Hippokration General Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Georgios Katsanos
- Department of Transplantation, Hippokration General Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | | | - Eleni Mouloudi
- Intensive Care Unit, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsoulfas
- Department of Transplantation, Hippokration General Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Ioannis N Galanis
- 2nd Propedeutic Department of Surgery, Hippokration General Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Theodoros E Pavlidis
- 2nd Propedeutic Department of Surgery, Hippokration General Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| |
Collapse
|