1
|
Zhang C, Wei W, Tu S, Liang B, Li C, Li Y, Luo W, Wu Y, Dai X, Wang Y, Zheng L, Hao L, Zhang C, Luo Z, Chen YG, Yan X. Upregulation of CYR61 by TGF-β and YAP signaling exerts a counter-suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107208. [PMID: 38521502 PMCID: PMC11021963 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107208] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and Hippo signaling are two critical pathways engaged in cancer progression by regulating both oncogenes and tumor suppressors, yet how the two pathways coordinately exert their functions in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. In this study, we firstly conducted an integrated analysis of public liver cancer databases and our experimental TGF-β target genes, identifying CYR61 as a pivotal candidate gene relating to HCC development. The expression of CYR61 is downregulated in clinical HCC tissues and cell lines than that in the normal counterparts. Evidence revealed that CYR61 is a direct target gene of TGF-β in liver cancer cells. In addition, TGF-β-stimulated Smad2/3 and the Hippo pathway downstream effectors YAP and TEAD4 can form a protein complex on the promoter of CYR61, thereby activating the promoter activity and stimulating CYR61 gene transcription in a collaborative manner. Functionally, depletion of CYR61 enhanced TGF-β- or YAP-mediated growth and migration of liver cancer cells. Consistently, ectopic expression of CYR61 was capable of impeding TGF-β- or YAP-induced malignant transformation of HCC cells in vitro and attenuating HCC xenograft growth in nude mice. Finally, transcriptomic analysis indicates that CYR61 can elicit an antitumor program in liver cancer cells. Together, these results add new evidence for the crosstalk between TGF-β and Hippo signaling and unveil an important tumor suppressor function of CYR61 in liver cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhang
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wenjing Wei
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shuo Tu
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bo Liang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chun Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yining Li
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Weicheng Luo
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yiqing Wu
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaohui Dai
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yi Wang
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lijuan Zheng
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Liang Hao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chunbo Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhijun Luo
- Queen Mary School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ye-Guang Chen
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohua Yan
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pan X, Chen S, Shen R, Liu S, You Y. HOXA11-OS participates in lupus nephritis by targeting miR-124-3p mediating Cyr61 to regulate podocyte autophagy. Mol Med 2022; 28:138. [PMID: 36418932 PMCID: PMC9682779 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00570-w] [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: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The long chain non-coding RNA HOXA11-OS was recently identified. Increasing studies have shown that HOXA11-OS has regulatory effects on genes in gastric cancer, prostate cancer, and various kidney diseases, but research on its role in systemic lupus erythematosus is still lacking. The present study aimed to investigate the role of HOXA11-OS in the regulation of podocyte autophagy in the development of lupus nephritis (LN) and its potential molecular mechanism. METHODS mRNA and protein expression of the target gene (i.e., Cyr61) was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Mouse podocytes were induced using serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) from patients with lupus and their viability was detected using the cell counting kit-8 assay. The interaction of miR-124-3p with HOXA11-OS and Cyr61 was analyzed by double luciferase reporter gene assay. Serum autoantibody levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological lesions in the kidney tissue were detected by hematoxylin-eosin and periodate-Schiff staining. The independent samples t-test was used for comparing two groups, and one-way analysis of variance for comparing multiple groups. RESULTS HOXA11-OS was highly expressed in LN tissues, serum, and cells, and the expression of some key autophagy factors and Cyr61 was significantly increased, while miR-124-3p expression was significantly decreased. In vitro, LN-IgG inhibited podocyte activity, increased autophagy and Cyr61 expression, and aggravated podocyte injury in a time- and dose-dependent manner. As a competitive endogenous RNA of miR-124-3p, HOXA11-OS promoted the expression of Cyr61, thus enhancing the autophagy increase induced by LN-IgG and aggravating podocyte injury. Knockdown of HOXA11-OS had the opposite effect. miR-124-3p mimic or Cyr61 knockdown restored the high expression of autophagy factors and Cyr61 induced by HOXA11-OS overexpression and alleviated podocyte injury. Further in vivo experiments showed that injection of sh-HOXA11-OS adeno-associated virus downregulated HOXA11-OS and significantly alleviated renal damage in lupus mice. CONCLUSIONS HOXA11-OS is involved in the occurrence and development of LN by regulating podocyte autophagy through miR-124-3p/Cyr61 sponging, which may provide a good potential therapeutic target for LN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuhong Pan
- grid.460081.bDepartment of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, No.18 Zhongshan Road II, Baise, 533000 Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- grid.460081.bDepartment of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, No.18 Zhongshan Road II, Baise, 533000 Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region China
| | - Ruiwen Shen
- grid.460081.bDepartment of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, No.18 Zhongshan Road II, Baise, 533000 Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region China
| | - Sen Liu
- grid.460081.bDepartment of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, No.18 Zhongshan Road II, Baise, 533000 Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region China
| | - Yanwu You
- grid.410652.40000 0004 6003 7358Department of Nephrology, People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, No. 6 Taoyuan Road, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530000 China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Guo X, Wu Y, Zhang C, Wu L, Qin L, Liu T. Network Pharmacology Analysis of ZiShenWan for Diabetic Nephropathy and Experimental Verification of Its Anti-Inflammatory Mechanism. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2021; 15:1577-1594. [PMID: 33883881 PMCID: PMC8055297 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s297683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Background Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The inflammatory response plays a critical role in DN. ZiShenWan (ZSW) is a classical Chinese medicinal formula with remarkable clinical therapeutic effects on DN, but its pharmacological action mechanisms remain unclear. Aim In this study, a network pharmacology approach was applied to investigate the pharmacological mechanisms of ZSW in DN therapy. Based on the results of network analysis, the core targets and signaling pathways related to anti-inflammatory effect were verified via experiments in vivo. Methods The candidate chemical ingredients of ZSW as well as its putative targets and known therapeutic targets of DN were acquired from appropriate databases. The “herb-ingredient-target” network for ZSW in DN treatment was established. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of potential targets was constructed to screen the core targets. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed. In addition to biochemical and pathological indicators, the core targets and signaling pathways associated with inflammation were partially validated in db/db mice at molecular level. Results A total of 56 active ingredients in ZSW and 166 DN-related targets were selected from databases. A high proportion of core targets and top signaling pathways participate in inflammation. ZSW markedly alleviated renal injuries pathologically and regulated related biomarkers. In particular, ZSW significantly inhibited the exaggerated release of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNF)-ɑ, and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 as well as regulating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)–protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways in db/db mice. Conclusion This study first comprehensively investigated the active ingredients, potential targets, and molecular mechanism of ZSW as a therapy for DN. ZSW achieved renoprotective effects in DN via regulation of multiple targets and signaling pathways, especially by alleviating inflammation. Results indicate that ZSW is a promising multi-target therapeutic approach for DN treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Guo
- Department of Nephrology, Dong Fang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100078, People's Republic of China
| | - You Wu
- Second Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100078, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengfei Zhang
- Second Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100078, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Wu
- Key Laboratory of Health Cultivation of the Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingling Qin
- Technology Department, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Tonghua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Health Cultivation of the Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Deng W, Wei X, Dong Z, Zhang J, Huang Z, Na N. Identification of fibroblast activation-related genes in two acute kidney injury models. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10926. [PMID: 33777519 PMCID: PMC7982076 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ischemia-reperfusion injury and drug-induced nephrotoxicity are the two most common reasons for acute kidney injury (AKI). However, little attention has been paid to early activation of fibroblasts in the progression of AKI to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The present study aimed to identify related genes and pathways on fibroblast activation in two mouse models of AKI: ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) model and folic acid (FA)-induced injury model. Methods The microarray expression profiles of GSE62732 and GSE121190 were downloaded from the GEO database, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was analyzed using the Limma package of R software. Principal component analysis (PCA) was also performed using R. The functional information of gene products was annotated by Gene Ontology (GO) and DAVID online database, and the pathway analysis was carried out by using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) database. Protein-protein interactions (PPI) network was constructed by STRING and Cytoscape. Furthermore, in the Hypoxia/Reoxygenation (H/R) model, the morphological changes of cells were observed under microscope and the expression of the hub genes in NRK-49F cells were validated by qRT-PCR assays. Results A total of 457 DEGs were identified. Among these, 215 DEGs were upregulated and 242 DEGs were downregulated in the acute injured samples compared with uninjured samples. The GO enrichment analysis indicated that these DEGs were mainly involved in transport, the oxidation-reduction process, the metabolic process, metal ion binding, hydrolase activity, and oxidoreductase activity. The KEGG analysis revealed that these DEGs were significantly enriched in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, protein digestion and absorption pathway, and focal adhesion pathway. The hub genes including Hnf4α, Pck1 and Timp1 were validated by the qRT-PCR assay in NRK-49F cells in the H/R model. Conclusions Hnf4α, Pck1 and Timp-1 may play a pivotal role in the early activation of fibroblasts, providing novel therapeutic strategies for early prediction and treatment of renal fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiming Deng
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiangling Wei
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhanwen Dong
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jinhua Zhang
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhengyu Huang
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ning Na
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang Y, Li C, Guan C, Zhou B, Wang L, Yang C, Zhen L, Dai J, Zhao L, Jiang W, Xu Y. MiR-181d-5p Targets KLF6 to Improve Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced AKI Through Effects on Renal Function, Apoptosis, and Inflammation. Front Physiol 2020; 11:510. [PMID: 32581828 PMCID: PMC7295155 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal tubular epithelial cell (RTEC) death and renal interstitial inflammation are the most crucial pathophysiological changes in acute kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). The microRNA (miR)-181d family plays diverse roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation, but its renal target and potential role in IRI are unknown. Here, we showed that the expression of miR-181d-5p decreased and Krueppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) increased in a renal cell (HK-2) model of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury and a mouse model of renal IRI. They were mainly distributed in the renal tubules. After renal IRI, miR-181d-5p overexpression significantly inhibited inflammatory mediators, reduced apoptosis and further improved renal function. KLF6 exacerbated RTEC damage and acted as a NF-κB co-activator to aggravate the renal IRI inflammatory response. Mechanistically, KLF6 was predicted as a new potential target gene of miR-181d-5p through bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay verification. After overexpressing miR-181d-5p and inhibiting KLF6, the role of miR-181d-5p was weakened on the renal damage improvement. In conclusion, miR-181d-5p upregulation produced protective antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects against IRI in kidneys in vivo and H/R injury in HK-2 cells in vitro, and these effects were achieved by targeted inhibition of KLF6. Thus, our results provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms associated with IRI and a potential novel therapeutic target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chenyu Li
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Nephrologisches Zentrum, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chen Guan
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chengyu Yang
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Li Zhen
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jie Dai
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Long Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|